Mr Menteath on the Geology of NiihidaU. HX 



that class of the Alps, in Switzerland. And it is most curious 

 to observe, that, on the whole range of the Jura mountains, se- 

 parating that country from France, and being a limestone for- 

 mation, rising to an elevation of several thousand feet, not a 

 single self-sown larch can be discovered. 



Advancing, however, from this range into Switzerland, it may 

 be observed, that, in those places, as at Chamounie, Mount Ce- 

 nis, the Simplon, and the lofty Alps, which partly inclose the 

 beautiful lake of Thun, in the canton of Berne, where the 

 primitive formation, consisting of granite, gneiss, mica-slate, and 

 similar rocks, abounds, the larch is indigenous, growing luxuri- 

 antly, and attaining to a great size. Almost at the summit of 

 the Simplon, upwards of 6000 feet of elevation above the sea, 

 instances are met with of larches of 16 feet in circumference at 

 some distance from the ground. 



Connected with the same formation, are the largest larcheg 

 found in Scotland, as at Dunkeld. One of the largest of these 

 trees measures 18 feet in circumference ; and they are of no 

 great age, for it was only in 1738 that they were brought from 

 the Alps, and planted at Dunkeld. From the progress they 

 have made, and their present thriving appearance, it is proba- 

 ble they will attain a great age. 



The durability of the larch throughout iSwitzerland is prover- 

 bial ; and in all situations where exposure to weather must be 

 encountered, such as roofing of houses and the like, recourse it 

 always had to larch. It is said that the piles on which Venice 

 is built are of larch wood. It would thus appear, that the 

 greywacke approaching very near in qualities to the primitive 

 mountain soil, is the best qualified to grow the larch ; and in 

 Nithsdale the larch ought only to be planted on the greywacke, 

 as is evidently proved by experience in the Basin of Closeburn. 



While enumerating the mineral productions of this basin, we 

 must not forget to mention its mineral springs, although these 

 are neither numerous nor important. In some places, chaly- 

 beate waters are found, and have beeii used, to considerable 

 advantage. Near the Castle of Closeburn, issuing from a peat- 

 moss, now improved, is a sulphuretted hydrogen spring, and 

 another at no great distance, which have sometimes been resort- 

 ed to with good effect in cutaneous complaints. 



