146 PROFESSOR ANSTED, ON THE 



If leaving the chain of hills just alluded to we advance along the 

 banks of the lake of Geneva, towards the West, we come to a parallel but 

 less elevated chain, beginning about ten miles from Vevey, near the town 

 of Lausanne, forming a ridge of sand-hills whose summits are about 2500 

 feet above the level of the sea, and the ridge continues at nearly the same 

 elevation for a distance of at least 15 or 20 miles to N. E. Here, as 

 before, the dip is towards the South-East, and generally as much as 45°. 



Between Vevey and Lausanne another bed of lignite of some thick- 

 ness is worked. The bed is exposed in consequence of a mountain torrent 

 having cut its way through the Molasse, close to the spot where the 

 lignite crops out to the surface. It is thus worked in chambers, from the 

 right bank of the stream to the outcrop, which is at no great distance. 



If we return now, and continue our course along the banks of the 

 lake still further to the West, we shall find a third time indications of 

 a similar North and South range, commencing at a celebrated point de vue, 

 called the Signal of Bougi, from which may be enjoyed one of the most 

 beautiful and picturesque prospects in this part of Switzerland. The 

 chain of hills commencing here, is continued at an elevation of little less 

 than 3000 feet for many miles, parallel to the mountains of the Jura. 



In several places the dip of the Molasse may be observed in the neigh- 

 bourhood of this, as of the other parallel lines of elevation, and is generally 

 South-East. The opportunities however of obtaining dips are so very 

 rare, and except where the lignite occurs, the bedding so obscure, that 

 if it were not for the uniformity wherever the inclination can be clearly 

 made out, I could hardly venture to lay much stress on a series of observa- 

 tions, so few in comparison with the large extent of country over which 

 they are spread. 



On the whole, however, we seem to have in this Southern portion of 

 the Molasse of Switzerland, three distinct and tolerably well-marked lines 

 of elevation, all parallel to the mountain chain of the Jura, from which 

 also they all dip. The upheaving of this latter chain (the Jura) subsequent 

 to the formation of the High Alps, seems to have been the means by which 

 the peculiar physical features of these tertiary beds were in a great 

 measure produced. Doubtless there have been great changes effected 

 by the action of the elements upon beds so soft, and often almost inco- 



