152 Geological Notes on the 



Nangier, I observed that it was interrupted by a sort of bank, 

 after which the equable inclination was resumed. At the 

 eastern extremity of the Saleve mountains, a remarkable ob- 

 ject is presented, in what may be called a patch of the allu- 

 vial formation left attached to the face of the hill, surrounded, 

 of course, on all sides, with steep-down banks ; for which 

 reason, the spot has been taken advantage of in early times 

 for the site of a baronial fortalice, — a conspicuous object 

 during the first stage from Geneva to Chamouni. 



The northern shore of Lake Leman, being that which is 

 presented to the low country of Switzerland, is generally low 

 and tame. The eye of the geologist is, nevertheless, attracted, 

 between Rolles and Lausanne, and particularly about Mor- 

 ges, by alluvial terraces of various heights, and with per- 

 fectly level tops, which overlook the lake, sometimes two 

 being presented at one place, the one above and a little be- 

 hind the other. That these are memorials of former levels of 

 the lake cannot, for a moment, be doubted. Their whole 

 range, however, is probably not more than a hundred feet. 

 Towards the east, the comparative boldness of the shore 

 seems to have forbidden the formation of such alluvial ter- 

 races ; but at Vevay, under favour of the recess in the hills 

 at that place, there is a series of grand character, to which 

 some previous observers have pointed attention under the 

 persuasion that they are ancient moraines. Their composi- 

 tion and form establish them, in my opinion, as alluvial for- 

 mations, produced in the usual manner by water. There is 

 here a short, but powerful stream, descending from the neigh- 

 bourhood of St Denis. In the recess through which it pours 

 on its approach to the lake, the terraces are seen on both 

 sides, sloping down from the opening, with very equable sur- 

 faces, forming the best vineyard grounds of the district. Two 

 pairs, if I may so speak, are more conspicuous than the rest ; 

 one is at the height of 165 feet above the lake, being thus 

 identical in level with the plain already alluded to, as exist- 

 ing on the sloping alluvial sheet near Geneva. The other is 

 about 442 feet above the lake. A third more faint, affording 

 a site for the old church of Vevay, is about 108 feet above 

 the same level. It is evident, that the space between the 



