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"Abotà et Aboteau, quasi à bout d'eau, Batardeau (bas qui retarde l'eau), arrêt temporaire d'une eau courante, pour la faire servir aux irrigations."

(Abota and Aboteau, as it were at the limit (or end) of water. Dam (shoal which retards the water): temporary stoppage of a running stream, to make it serve for irrigation.)

In order to make certain as to the present use of the word in France, I wrote to the Mayor of the city of Saintes, which is within the bounds of the ancient province of Saintonge, asking him whether the word is still used, and if so, with what significance. With the courtesy characteristic of his people, he has replied to my letter, and as follows:—

"Voici ce que l'on entend en Saintonge par le mot aboteau; digue, obstacle pour détourner ou contenir un cours d'eau, pour diriger l'écoulement des eaux dans les montagnes à bout de l'eau." Il m'est impossible de vous dire à quelle époque remonte l'emploi de ce mot; je puis vous affirmer qu'il est trés anciennement connu et usite. L' explication que vous avez trouvez dans le glossaire aunisien est exacte."

(Here is what is understood in Saintonge by the word aboteau: dike, obstacle for turning or holding a stream of water, to direct the flow of the waters into the high land, "at limit of the water." It is impossible to tell you to what epoch the use of this word goes back; I can assure you that it was known and used very long ago. The explanation that you have found in the glossaire aunisien is accurate.)

From these facts we may draw the following conclusions: The supposed indigenous origin of the word in Acadia must be given up, for it has long been and still is used in France, in Saintonge whence the Acadians came to this country. The form aboteaux used in