MODE HI. BASALTIN. 



appearance; which is not the case even in por- 

 tions of the mass. 



" 13. The conical form of basaltic mountains 

 proves nothing ; it is true, that such is the form 

 of volcanic mountains, but in general it is that 

 of all mountains whose sides are covered with 

 earthy substances. Melted substances, ashes, 

 give this form to volcanic mountains; and if 

 basaltic mountains assume also more particularly 

 this appearance, it is because their fragments 

 are quickly reduced to this earthy state, so that 

 they naturally form slopes on the sides of moun- 

 tains. 



(l Moreover, the conical form of basaltic moun- 

 tains is not that of burnirTg volcanoes: the former 

 are cones, isolated one from another, nearly 

 equal in height; whereas volcanic mountains 

 are grand coniform elevations, whose slopes and 

 sides are loaded with little conical summits. 



" One might extend much farther this chain 

 of motives on which both theories are founded, 

 but longer details would be here superfluous*; 



" * It may be observed, that the points of division are often in 

 matters of fact j as the existence of scoriae, vitrifactions, that of 

 craters, &c. I do not pretend to discuss their legitimacy. 



" Perhaps both parties may think that I have not done justice to 

 their arguments, and that I have overlooked some important ones. 

 I believe not : I endeavoured to reconcile them, at least the princi- 

 pal ; but I confess if any have escaped me, I should easily console 



