116 SWITZERLAND. [l858. 



Merian, where the roughly stratified gravel over the 

 flats adjoining the Rhine engaged his attention. The 

 geology of Bex is given in a few sentences, which are 

 followed by a striking outline of Les Diablerets with 

 numerous notes. It was probably on this occasion that 

 he paid the visit at Gryon to M. Renevier, the eminent 

 Professor of Geology at Lausanne, who guided him to 

 Anzeindaz (Alpes Vaudoises), at the foot of the Diab- 

 lerets, where our geologist made a collection of choice 

 little Eocene fossils. Professor Renevier writes that in 

 returning they were overtaken by rain, and arrived at 

 Gryon completely drenched. Chamouni was afterwards 

 Prestwich's headquarters, whence, day after day, ac- 

 companied by a guide, he went from glacier to glacier, 

 never attempting any great ascent. He had looked 

 longingly at certain boulders near the Talefre glacier, 

 where, " perched on the top of this cliff, are several 

 blocks of granite one just on the edge of the cliff. 

 Could not get at them to see whether foreign to the 

 place." He was intent on ascertaining the rate of 

 movement of the ice, the origin of the boulders, and the 

 composition of the moraine gravels. 



The numerous notes and sections give the altitude 

 of the moraines of different years, the smoothening or 

 polishing of granite blocks whether sharp or rounded, 

 angular or sub-angular, or striated observations on 

 ice-action in every phase, which would chiefly interest 

 an Alpine geologist familiar with the high Alps. One 

 sketch is that of the " ^Iboulement " of Les Mossons, 

 which spreads over half the valley now covered with 

 fields and houses. A guide refers it " au temps du 

 Deluge." Visits to St Gervais and to Sallanches ended 

 this tour in Switzerland. 



On his return to England it was to find that the 



