364 MEMOIR OF LEOPOLD VON BUCH. 



Werner had pronounced tliat all rocks, without exception, porphyry, granite, 

 even basalt, were the product of water ; here the granite, the porphyry, the 

 basalt, bore irrefutable testimony to the action of fire. Werner had taught that 

 the superposition of strata had observed always the same order ; the granite 

 below the gneiss, and porphyry below the limestone, &;c. In Italy and Au- 

 vergne the whole order was reversed ; iu one place the granite, elsewhere the 

 porphyry, occurred above the limestone. Werner had said that the seat of 

 volcanoes did not descend below the limit of the coals, the source, as he taught, 

 of the materials which maintain them. Here the focus of the volcanoes showed 

 itself beneath the deepest rocks, the porphyry, the granite, the terrestrial en- 

 velope. Werner, in fine, had seen in volcanoes only accidental and local phe- 

 nomena of comparatively small potency. In Aavergne everything demon- 

 strated the extent and power of those hidden and profound forces which had 

 sufficed to elevate immense rocks, and even entire mountains, such as the Cantal 

 and the Monts Dore. 



The exploration of Auvergne, in opening to Von Buch a whole scries of 

 sublime views, impressed him with the necessity of calling new resources to his 

 aid. It was said of him, by an Englishman, "that he went everywhere to take 

 the measure of those who cultivated his favorite science;" and whaf he had 

 learned respecting the sagacity of the French savants seems now to have inspired 

 him with the desire of taking their measure. He Avent to Paris, formed con- 

 nexions there, and among others with Haiiy, the kindness of whose reception 

 he acknowledges in terms v/hich show how highly he prized the words of en- 

 couragement extended to him by this great master, Tho museums, the collec- 

 tions, the libraries, were no less objects of eager interest than the conversation 

 of accomplished men. Levying contributions from every source, he referred all 

 to his one great task of active labor and incessant meditation. Among the 

 common elements of character, vanity was one in which he seemed wholly de- 

 ficient. Impelled to constant observation as if by a necessity of his nature, he 

 may be said, on leaving Auvergne, to have made but one tour, but it Avas a 

 tour which Listed his whole life. "What mode of conveyance do you prefer?" 

 he was asked by somebody who thought himself an observer. "What!" re- 

 plied M. Von Buch, leaning on his inseparable umbrella, "you do not know how 

 a geologist ought to travel?" As regards himself, he might have been seen 

 traversing afoot, at one time, the entire chain of tho Appenines ; at another, 

 that of the Alps ; passing, in the same Avay, from the craters of Vesuvius to the 

 mountains of tScotland ; from Etna to the snoAvs of the polar circle ; again at 

 his favorite station of the Monts Dore, on his route to Paris, Avhere the society 

 of kindred minds might delay but could not detain him. He gave no notice of 

 his arriA'al, and still less of his departure. A savant, surprised at receiving a 

 visit from Vim and going to return it, would not improbably find that he had 

 again disappeared, and learn by a letter from Naples, perhaps, or Stockholm, 

 Avhere it would be necessary to inquire for M. Von Buch. At Paris, one day, 

 a geologist of note going to see him, met him on the threshold of his hotel, \\m- 

 brella in hand. It Avas a bad sign. " You are going out ; alloAv me to accompany 

 you." "Willingly." "But where are you going?" "To Berlin." 



Setting out, as Avas his Avont, every spring, he took Avith him no companion 

 but the faithful one just mentioned; no guide but his impulse ; no baggage but 

 his book of notes, his barometer, tAvo or three faA'orite volumes, and aboA-e all, 

 that indefatigable pick to Avhose blows so many rocks have resounded ; all con- 

 tained in the vast pockets of a double vestment, Avhich, ahvays the same and 

 proof against CA^ery change of temperature, generally bore the marks of this 

 manifold serA'ice. If night overtook him, he directed his steps to the nearest 

 toAvn and presented himself at the best hotel, Avhere his odd equipment could 

 not but lead occasionally to singular mistakes. But, as the fragrance of his 

 probity and kindness survived all other impressions, these strange apparitions 



