ALPINE SCULPTUKE. 287 



when probably a hundred cases of the same kind, though 

 different in magnitude, can be pointed out it seems 

 quite unphilosophical to assume that in each particular 

 case an earthquake was at hand to form a channel for the 

 river. As in the case of the barrier at Pontresina, the 

 Kirchet, after the retreat of the Aar glacier, dammed the 

 waters flowing from it, thus forming a lake, on the bed 

 of which now stands the village of Imhof. Over this 

 barrier the Aar tumbled towards Meyringen, cutting, as 

 the centuries passed, its bed ever deeper, until finally 

 it became deep enough to drain the lake, leaving in its 

 place the alluvial plain, through which the river now 

 flows in a definite channel. 



In 1866 I subjected the Finsteraarschlucht to a close 

 examination. The earthquake theory already adverted 

 to was then prevalent regarding it, and I wished to see 

 whether any evidences existed of aqueous erosion. Near 

 the summit of the Kirchet is a signboard inviting 

 the traveller to visit the Aarenschlucht, a narrow 

 lateral gorge which runs down to the very bottom of 

 the principal one. The aspect of this smaller chasm 

 from bottom to top proves to demonstration that water 

 had in former ages been there at work. It is scooped, 

 rounded, and polished, so as to render palpable to 

 the most careless eye that it is a gorge of erosion. 

 But it was regarding the sides of the great chasm that 

 instruction was needed, and from its edge nothing to 

 satisfy me could be seen. I therefore stripped and waded 

 into the river until a point was reached which com- 

 manded an excellent view of both sides of the gorge. 

 The water was cutting cold, but I was repaid. Below 

 me on the left-hand side was a jutting cliff which bore 

 the thrust of the river and caused the Aar to swerve 

 from its direct course. From top to bottom this cliff 

 was polished, rounded, and scooped. There was no 



