Temperature of Springs. 35 



iron-pyrites and coal, the former has by far the greatest pro- 

 babihty ; and it is not to be denied, that, in a geological point 

 of view, it is an elevating consideration, if we ascribe similar 

 origins to volcanoes and earthquakes, and to mineral springs ; 

 and so deduce the destructive effects of the former, and the be- 

 neficial effects of the latter, from a common cause. 



Keferstein, also, in his Geological Observations on the Hot 

 and Warm Springs of Germany*, lays down the principle, 

 that the regular production of hot vapours and springs is con- 

 nected with volcanic activity, although the volcano be at rest 

 and shew no eruption ; and that volcanic action does not consist 

 in the combustion of beds of coal, but in terrestrial operations 

 seated deep under the oldest formations. He observes on this, 

 that basalt, which is connected with systems of volcanoes, is so 

 grouped in Germany, that its localities may be viewed as a 

 basakic parallel, which traverses the north of Germany from 

 west to east ; and in which line also, all the hot springs of the 

 noilh of Germany are situated ; and that the few basalts besides 

 this, which occur in Germany, accompany the north base of the 

 Alps. This northern basaltic parallel, he finds, corresponds 

 to a more southern, which traverses the south of France, the 

 Alps, Hungary, and Transylvania. No basalt is found in the 

 Alps themselves ; but he thinks it probable that the Alps rest 

 on a volcanic basis, that, in them, the volcanic phenomena may 

 have been limited to some earthquakes, which may have been 

 the more formidable, as it seems that the great mass of the 

 mountains may have prevented the eruption of the lavas i", in- 

 stead of which, hot springs have burst a passage for themselves 

 in many places. He shews that the greater number of them are 

 seated in the Alps ; some surround their immediate base (as also 

 some portions of basalt) ; few arise in the further outskirts of 

 the Alps. He lastly informs us, that the hot springs of Ger- 

 many, and the adjoining countries, issue from the oldest forma- 

 tions, gneiss, granite, and clayslate ; and that, where this is not 

 the case, these older rocks are so situate in the vicinity, that we 



• His work Teutchland Geognosiisch-geologisch dargestelt, &c. vol. li. 

 pt. 1. p. 1. 



+ Comiiare Von Hoff's Gesdiichte, &c. p. 334. 



C I 



