428 ON THE GEOLOGY OF THE 
ries which surround it on all sides, except the south: these 
rise with considerable abruptness, to a height of from 500 to 
1000 feet, gradually increasing till they approach Mount Cao 
or Calvo, by some called Mount Chauve, from the bald, herb- 
less aspect of its summit. This mountain towers majestically 
over the rest, and forms an imposing feature in the group. I 
was informed by M. Russo, that its altitude had been ascertain- 
ed to be 440 toises, about 2650 feet. 
Beyond this range there is a second, which eee it from 
the High Alps. ° Tes most prominent points, as seen from 
Nice, are the Col de Brois, the Trois Mamelons, the Col 
d’Autillons, the Vierge d’Utelle, &c.; and then as a third de- 
fence, the Alps encircle the whole; protecting this favoured 
spot, on the west, by that branch which stretches through 
Provence, and terminates by the mountains of Les Estrelles 
in the sea, at a point denominated by Saussure Cap Roux; on 
the north, by that elevated range, whose snowy summits pre- 
sent a striking contrast with the ceaseless verdure of the plain 
below ; and on the east, by that group which forms the rugged 
country of the Corniche, and which, by the abrupt manner it 
terminates in the sea, has shut up the most natural and direct 
access into Italy; and unfortunately, the policy of the Sardi- 
nian Government has prevented the energy and industry of 
mankind from being exerted in removing the difficulties which 
Nature has here interposed *. 
It is, however, to a very small proportion of this territory 
that my observations extend, having been confined to within a 
forenoon’s 
* Bonaparte saw the advantage which must accrue to the country by a tho- 
roughfare being opened in this direction, and commanded a road to be construct- 
ed, fit for every purpose between Nice and Genoa. Already one-third of this 
imperial undertaking is completed, one-third of the road is marked out, and the re- 
mainder 
