

MODE III. BASALTIN. 



a direct line, running nearly from south to north. 

 Almost all the basalts of these regions, that may 

 be, in some manner, retraced to their origin, 

 seem to have taken their direction in this same 

 line. It is also in this direction, and among the 

 ancient products, that the greater part of the 

 craters have opened, whose vestiges are still 

 visible. When at two leagues to the westward 

 of Clermont, we see near sixty volcanic moun- 

 tains, ranged in a straight line, one can scarcely 

 believe it to be the effect of chance. A cause 

 has certainly existed which has produced this 

 effect : perhaps there was under-ground, and in 

 this direction, as it were a vein of matter which 

 contained the germ of volcanic fire, or which 

 was of a nature to maintain it ; the cause always 

 existing, its effect might have been renewed at 

 different periods." 



These observations are no doubt cogent, and 

 worthy of the acknowledged ability of the au- 

 thor. But in the spirit of perfect candour when 

 treating a subject where it is difficult, after every 

 allowance for the weakness of the human mind, 

 even to suppose that prejudices should exist, 

 Broch ant's able abstract of the arguments for 

 and against the volcanic origin of basaltin, shall 

 here be subjoined, as the author thinks it a me- 

 ritorious service to the science, to lay before the 



