Spheroidal State of Bodies—Proof by Fire. 113 
I hope so, into the explanation of one of the greatest mys- 
teries of creation—the creation itself.* 
It will at once be understood that a fluid whose tempera- 
ture is invariable, whatever may be the variations of the 
temperature in the bodies which surround it, is a fluid emi- 
nently adapted for incubation. This latter word expresses 
the whole of my idea without developing it. 
On the Geology of the Valley of Reposoir in Savoy, and on the 
Rocks containing Ammonites and Belemnites l lying above the 
Nummulitic Formation. By M. A. Favre, Professor in 
the Academy of Geneva.t 
This paper is not intended to bring forward a theory ; it is 
simply to describe a fact which has appeared to me important 
and difficult to explain, although it presents itself in a mam- 
ner apparently simple. It is the superposition of great cal- 
careous masses containing belemnites and ammonites on 
rocks filled with nummulites. This order of superposition 
is contrary to what paleontology and geognosy have hither- 
to made known to us; ; consequently we have reason to doubt 
whether the position of the rocks in question be normal. On 
the other hand, this singular fact presents itself in a man- 
ner so simple; the structure of the mountains where it oc- 
curs is so regular, that it is deserving of the attention of ob- 
Servers ; this is the object of the present notice. But I re- 
commend them, before judging, to take the trouble to tra- 
verse these high mountains in different directions. Al- 
though I have done so many times, it is not without extreme 
diffidence that I bring forward my observations. 
Can the valley of Reposoir be one of those localities where 
examination reveals to us exceptions to the general rules 
which science has established for the Alps? Must the posi- 
* If the Deity has permitted the human mind to penetrate into this hitherto 
inexplicable mystery. 
t From a ex opy sent by the Author. Vide Bibliothéque Universelle de Gendve. 
June 1849. 
VOL. XLVIII. NO. XCV.—JAN. 1850. H 
