72 DOMAIN ix. ANOMALOUS. 



successful, so that the smallest pieces of this 

 stone are extremely dear."* 



This is truly surprising; and affords a further 

 proof, if necessary, that the ingenious writers of 

 France, with their clear heads and universal 

 talents, never think it a duty, though it be in- 

 dispensable, to read preceding accounts, that 

 they may not repeat what is already well known ; 

 nor, above all, want the necessary knowledge of 

 their subject. For to write on any science, 

 without a complete knowledge of what has been 

 already done, can in few instances contribute to 

 its real advancement, which ought to be the 

 chief end of every publication. The glacier of 

 Miage, where so many beautiful varieties of this 

 rock occur, cannot exceed two French leagues, 

 or six British miles, from the little town of Cor- 

 mayeur, on the river Doire; a distance surely 

 not invincible for sledges or other conveyances : 

 and any man of common enterprise might soon 

 disperse these beautiful stones all over Europe. 

 The fact is, that the passage of Saussure had 

 totally escaped notice ; and at present is only 

 known to M. Sage, and a few other mineralo- 

 gists, to whom it was indicated by the author. 

 It must not be forgotten that, in whatever 



* Brard, ii. 287, 



