294 THE NOKTHERN SEAS. 



Ill comiectiou with Iceland and the volcanic world, I may as we'l 

 explain here the formation of Fingal's Cave, of Avhich my readers have 

 probably seen numerous engTaviugs. In this deep grotto, which is 

 entered by a boat, immense basaltic coin inns rise to the right and left 

 of the explorer to a great height, and support a roof formed of the 

 , pendant remains of similar columns. The theory of the formation of 

 this natural curiosity is not more complicated than that of our ordinary 

 caverns. In the latter the primitive disturbance of the locality raised 

 the rocky mass in one unbroken piece, except at the part corresponding 

 to the mouth of the cave. There the stratum of rock disturbed did not 

 follow the part lifted up, and a separation consequently ensued between 

 the portion raised and that remaining in place. This is so evidently the 

 case that, traces may be found by close, examination of the former 

 juncture of the rock forming the floor of the grotto, and that of its roof; 

 corresponding creases and salient points in each attest their former 

 union. Now suppose the same operation to take place in a locality 

 covered with the beautiful basaltic columns formed by the contraction 

 and solidification of the primeval lava. If while the larger part of the 

 colonnade was elevated, a portion refused to follow the general move- 

 ment, a cavity would be formed, the u])per parts of the immobile col- 

 umns would form the roof, and the lower pnrts which retained their 

 original position would constitute the iloor of the cave. Caverns of this 

 kind exist in the sides of the basaltic hills, disturbed by the action of 

 the ancient volcanoes of Au\'ergne. In most cases, as in the cave, or 

 rather the caves of Fingal, for there are several of them, the basaltic 

 rock attained its greatest elevation immediately back of the opening of 

 the grotto, wiiich is consequently higher in front than at the back. Open 

 moderately the long jaws of a hunting dog, and his beautiful teeth 

 above and befow will give a very good idea of the divided trunks of the 

 basaltic columns forming the ceiling and pavement of the grotto, while 

 his two fangs, extending from jaw to jaw, represent very well the 

 columns which have remained intact, and support the vault formed by 

 those which have been separated into two parts. 



The theory in regard to the fossil wood of Iceland, as given in the 

 exposition of the voyage of La Reine Hortense, a])pears to me well 

 worthy of confidence, and, as usual, one truth leads to another. If, for 

 exainiile, we admit that this wood was brought to the island by marine 

 currents, the various elevations at which it is found may afford a 

 valuable indication of the rising of the ground. The report of the 

 expedition is silent in regard to the rising of the Faroe Islands. When- 

 ever a good measure is initiated by an expedition it finds coutinuators, 

 and science is as much benefited by the work induced, as by that 

 actually accomplished. Natural philosophy does not lack encourage- 

 ment and appreciation, and it pays in renown every attempt to assist 

 its progress. It has been said science has no special public, but the same 

 may be said of the pulpit and the bar. 



France ought not to forget that she is the Areopagus of glory. " If I 

 dared," said Frederick the Great in a letter to Maupertuis, on the 12th 

 of March, 1750, "I would say confidently to you Frenchmen Avhat Alex- 

 ander said to the Athenians: What pains 1 take to be praised by you !" 



It is evident from the nautical report that if La Eeine Hortense was 

 not crushed by the ice, it was not the fault of the temerity of the navi- 

 gators, which was counteracted, it is true, by a most active and judi- 

 cious supervision. Tlie poor Saxon, which carried supplies of coal, did 

 not escape as wxll. She suffered from the touch of a very gentle ice- 

 berg. Happily she was not utterly destroyed. I congratulate myself 



