M. Renoir on the Glaciers of the Vosges, 283 



of two lateral moraines, which belonged, the one to the gla- 

 cier of Viescli, the other probably to the glacier of the Rhone, 

 although this point is seven leagues distant from the latter. 

 We likewise notice the remains of terminal moraines imme- 

 diately above Sierre. 



With regard to lateral moraines, I met with them less fre- 

 quently than the others, owing, no doubt, as M. Agas^z says, 

 to their usually being much above the heights which we com- 

 monly ascend to. No one, however, can fail to remark the 

 one to be seen between Lavey and Morcle. It is, as it were, 

 stratified, and the strata, as well as the blocks of stone, are in- 

 clined to the side of the mountain, because the exterior side of 

 this moraine alone remains. M. de Charpentier attributes this 

 kind of stratification to the water which existed between the 

 glacier and the mountain. I am indebted to this distinguished 

 savant for the most valuable information. I had the advan- 

 tage to visit, along with him, some of the lateral moraines 

 which lie in the neighbourhood of the salt district of Devans ; 

 they are very recognisable, and even well preserved in many 

 places ; the prevailing nature of the blocks which partly com- 

 pose them, is the conglomerate of Valorsine ; we likewise notice 

 calcareous blocks brought down from the neighbourhood of 

 Martigny, 



I likewise visited, ^ pointed out to me by M. de Charpentier, 

 the numerous and beautiful transported stones collected to 

 the north-west of the town of Mouthey. The blocks, many 

 of which are of the cubic dimensions of 1300 and 1400 metres, 

 have proved to me, in the object of my researches, as a ray of 

 light, for never could such masses be transported to the height 

 where they are now found by a current, however great and 

 impetuous it may be supposed to have been. Besides, a con- 

 siderable number of the stones are resting, as if in equilibrio, 

 on one of their small faces ; others, and these of the largest 

 size, are supported by two or three points at most, and in such 

 precarious positions, that it is difficult to conceive how they 

 can continue permanently in such a state. They must then 

 have been deposited quietly and slowly, and are evidently the 

 remains of an ancient lateral moraine. 



