the Appearance of Man on the Earth. 51 



decomposition of the strata of the black limestone rock, of 

 which the Faulhorn chiefly consists. 



The mountain-torrents, when swelled by a continuation of 

 rain, or by the melting of snow, carry this fertile mould from 

 the mountain to the lowlands. The Bergelbach, one of the 

 largest, is charged to such a degree with this finely divided 

 earth, that the water has assumed a deep black colour, and 

 that it communicates this tint to another glacier stream, some- 

 what the size of our Sieg, which, on that account, has received 

 the name of the Black Liitchine. 



The productive powers of this mould are displayed to advan- 

 tage on taking the rather dangerous route from the Faulhorn 

 to the Giessbach, a celebrated waterfall in the vicinity of the 

 Lake of Brience. As soon as we pass into the region of forests, 

 we encounter the most luxuriant vegetation, not surpassed by 

 that of tropical countries. The tallest fir-trees are there 

 crowded together, improving the soil by their decay, and 

 thereby clearing a space for the growth of others. The tra- 

 veller forces his way with great difficulty through the shrubs, 

 and across an ocean of the most delicious strawberries, rasp- 

 berries, and bilberries, &c. 



What enormous quantities of the most fruitful soil have 

 been transferred from this mountain alone to the lowlands, 

 through the agency of the mountain-torrents ! And this has 

 been going on for centuries, and will continue for thousands 

 of years, until, in the course of time, the whole Colossus, now 

 at an elevation of 8200 feet above the level of the sea, shall 

 have entirely disappeared. 



After such reflections, we need no longer be astonished at 

 the fertility of the valley of the Rhine, for which it is indebted 

 to Switzerland. What wonder, if, by the accumulation of a 

 fertile mould, which, for thousands of years, has been floating 

 down the Rhine, entire countries, such as Holland, have, out 

 of large plains covered by the sand of the sea, been converted 

 into the most fruitful corn-fields and pasture-lands ^ Indeed 

 the Dutch ought to pronounce the name of Switzerland with 

 the greatest respect, for Holland owes its existence altogether 

 to Switzerland. 



My friend, Von Dechen, has informed us, that the waters 



