On the Seiches ()fthe Lake of Geneva. 



ment of the waters, which is denominated Stichc, is much less 

 considerable in the Lake of Zurich than in the Lake of Geneva. 

 It often happens that it cannot be perceived at all ; but, in the 

 months of February and March of 1803, it was often sensible, 

 though its maximum did not reach much above half an inch. 

 It was more considerable near the town than elsewhere, whilst 

 it could also be observed at a great distance. It was always 

 most considerable in summer, and more at the commencement 

 of a storm than in calm and serene weather. Under the former 

 circumstances, the movement has been observed to the extent of 

 eighteen lines, and the rises and falls succeeded each other ra- 

 pidly, and in an irregular manner. 



As the Lake Annecy is the nearest of all those in the neigh- 

 bourhood of Geneva, I wished also to examine it, and I visited 

 its banks on the morning of Sunday, May 8. 1 804. The wea- 

 ther, which had been changeable and rainy the previous even- 

 ing, had become beautiful and very mild. The barometer was 

 at 26.10.8.; the thermometer in the shade -f 12; the wind was 

 at south-east ; the sun was shining at intervals, and there was a 

 perfect calm. This lovely lake, about ten miles by three, is 

 embosomed in lofty mountains, which are not, however, covered 

 with perpetual snows : it is supplied by the waters of a multitude 

 of little torrents which descend from the neighbouring heights ; 

 and consequently it has not a period of regular annual increase 

 and decrease, like the greater number of the Swiss lakes. It, 

 however, rises and falls irregularly many times a-year, accord- 

 ing as the season is wet or dry.' The river which issues from it 

 is but small, and has scarcely any current at its origin. It is 

 called The Fiers, and falls into the Rhon^, a little above Scissel. 



At the time of my arrival, at half-past seven in the morning, 

 I could perceive no appearance of the seiche upon its banks. I 

 then walked a couple of miles from the town, where I watched 

 for it a whole hour, without any success. At another station I 

 selected, somewhat nearer, I perceived the waters to fall two 

 lines in less than five minutes. Half an hour afterwards, at 

 the end of the lake, it fell three lines, and had again risen four 

 and a half at the time I finished my observations. It was then 

 two oYlock ; the sun was very hot. Two hours afterwards it 

 began to rain, and continued to do so till I reached Geneva. 



