250 STUDIES OF NATUHE. 



as the Eaft wind in the Atlantic Ocean ; but fix 

 months in one diredion, and fix in another. It 

 was proper, accordingly, to divide to them the 

 land which they were intended to water. 



It remains that I fubjoin fome farther obferva- 

 tions refpeding the configuration of thefe moun- 

 tains, to contirm the ufe to which they are deftined 

 by Nature. They are crowned, from diftance to 

 diftance, by long peaks fimilar to lofty pyramids. 

 Thefe peaks, as has been well obferved, are of 

 granite, at lead moft of them. I do not know the 

 component parts of granite; but I know well, 

 that thefe peaks attract the vapours of the Atmo- 

 fphere, and fix them around in fuch a quantity, 

 that they themfelves frequently difappear. This 

 is a remark which I have made times without num- 

 ber, with refpeâ: to the peak of Piterboth, in the 

 Ifle of France, where I have feen the clouds driv- 

 ing before the South-eaft wind, turn afide percep- 

 tibly from their diredion, and gather around it, fo 

 as fometimes to form a very thick cap, which ren- 

 dered the fummit totally invifible. 



I had the curiofity to examine the nature of the 

 rock of which it is compofed. Inftead of being 

 formed of grains, it is full of fmall holes, like the 

 other rocks of the ifland ; it melts in the fire, and 

 when melted, you may perceive on it's fyrface 



fmall 



