MODE VI. SERPENTINE. 34 \ 



fording an argillaceous smell, and melting under 

 the blow-pipe into a black glass. Its exterior 

 is covered with a coat of rust. 



" The observation of the characters of this 

 rock is important, as it shows the transition of 

 serpentines to corneennes. It is absolutely mid- 

 way between these two sorts of rocks. 



cc The beds of this serpentine alternate in the 

 mountain with beds of calcareous, quartzy, and 

 micaceous schistus ; and with beds of primitive 

 slate. 



" The mountain called Roth Horn, or Red Roth Horn - 

 Horn, and which faces Mount Rosa, towards 

 Italy, is elevated 1506 fathoms: it is composed 

 of compact serpentine, divided into irregular 

 masses of an immense size. The surface of this 

 serpentine becomes red by the action of the 

 atmosphere, which oxyginates the iron it con- 

 tains to the highest degree. It is this colour, 

 and the elongated form of this mountain, which 

 have procured it the name of the Red Horn. 



c< This serpentine is covered by a steatite, of 

 a sea-green colour, mixed with carbonate of 

 lime, and grains of felspar. On this steatite 

 beds of calcareous micaceous schistus repose, in 

 which the mica contained is more than one half. 

 These schisti are again covered by serpentine : 

 all the beds are nearly horizontal, a little raised 



