414 AN ACCOUNT OF THE PROCEEDINGS 
tion of the beds is exactly opposite on the two sides of the hill or 
ridge ; for it is just as if one took sheets of paper, and bent them 
so that the middle should be the highest part, when the sides would 
shelve away like the roof of a house, each in a different direction. 
But I am wandering dreadfully from my subject, although, as it 
was to see the little bit of geology I have been describing that the 
first part of the expedition was planned, I thought it right to make 
the most of my science when it could be introduced. 
After having viewed the collocation of the beds, and the nature 
of the disturbance at Monturban—or Mont Terrible, as this re- 
markably unterrible spot is, by a rather absurd perversion of names, 
universally called—we returned a little, and went to visit a very 
curious gorge in the oolite, extremely narrow, and walled inon each 
side by perpendicular rocks, which occasionally projected more or 
less into the gorge, and almost closed the passage through it. Then, 
going on, we passed a tolerably thick bed of the Kimmeridge clay, 
and saw another singular appearance in the oolitic beds, where a 
sudden escarpment seemed to terminate a nearly flat table land of 
the Portland rock ; so that we came absolutely upon the overhang- 
ing edge of a precipice, and looked down perpendicularly more than 
a hundred feet, without having been aware, till the very moment of 
reaching the edge, that there was any change in the level of the 
ground. 
Now this was undoubtedly a very interesting place: interesting 
in its geology, interesting in its picturesque beauty, interesting in 
the very extraordinary and really unusual abruptness of the escarp- 
ment. But (alas for human nature!) some of our party, with noses 
which, for acuteness of scent, might have made an Indian envious, 
discovered at no very great distance a small house, where a most 
substantial luncheon was prepared. Instantly was the geology, the 
picturesque, and the interesting, neglected ; and before many mi- 
nutes were past our whole party were seated before some extempore 
tables, on benches of very questionable character, discussing with 
the most hearty good will a capital meal, which was not unneces- 
sary, considering the labours we had undergone and those in pros- 
pect. As soon as appetite was satisfied, some Germans of our party 
began singing chorusses—a convivial practice, which they enjoy ex- 
ceedingly. Before long, single songs were called for, and out of 
our heterogeneous assembly we mustered songs in at least three 
kinds of patois: one person danced a Tyrolese dance, accompanying 
himself with his own voice ; the Russian danced in the manner of 
his country: and the scene taking place in the parlour of a little 
