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which, intending to form hard stone, had stopped and formed only shells, in which were found "serpent tongues" Glossopetrae: fossilized shark teeth, which early modern observers often believed were petrified snake tongues, snails with many twists, and an infinite number of other kinds of shells; even that while building the said Chapel, there had formerly been found among these oysters a crest or deer antlers.

The principal occupation of the countless Princes and Lords who were with the King was to consider these oysters or shells, and this Chapel. And descending lower, to see another path of fountains, where there is found yet another kind of smaller shells, all different from the first; they admired an infinity of medicinal herbs original: "simples" which follow the fountains and mark the goodness and excellence of the waters.

His Majesty, setting aside these small pleasures to think of those of the war which followed, descended on foot with marvelous speed and crossed the water again. The reason was that His Majesty was waiting at Preignac, with ardor, for the latest news from Béarn, where the inspiration of God notably pushed him to go, to bring there the good fortune and blessing of his final touch. And having arrived there, the recommendation of the place coming from his Royal mouth, where his example and visit had such an effect, that in less than five or six days that he stayed in this village, there was such a great crowd and gathering of people to visit this mountain, that there was no Prince nor Lord who did not very willingly take up the task. And in fact, the King’s brother Gaston, Duke of Orléans with all his household, having gone there the next day, after having for a long time considered this heap of oysters and seen the rest of the singularities; he who takes care of his health, having discovered Maidenhair Fern original: "Capilli Veneris"; a plant highly valued in Renaissance medicine for respiratory and renal ailments in very great quantity, was very glad to find himself in com-