82 M. Bemlant's Travels in Hungary. 



comitat of Gomor, but proceeded so far, in another direction, 

 that the time would not have sufficed. 



In general, I may observe, as a geologist, that an entire 

 analogy exists between the mountains of Matra, the scene of 

 these last excursions, as to the nature and disposition of the 

 rocks that compose them, and those that I had more studious- 

 ly explored in the country of Schernnitz. Among other points 

 of resemblance, I found, as a naturalist, about Erlau, trunks 

 and branches of opalised wood, as also various kinds of shells", 

 fragments of obsidian, &c. As to the pretended crater, it is 

 simply the upper end of a little valley, partly stopped up with 

 a number of blocks that have fallen from the heights, and 

 thrown in heaps one above another. 



CHAPTER IX. 



BASALTIC BUTTS OF SALGO, &C. 



Quitting the mountains of 'Matra for a northerly direction, 

 the most prominent object is the point of Salgo at a distance, 

 the conical mass of which rises, in an isolated situation, above 

 all the surrounding heights. On this mountain, according to 

 Busching, the earth, charged with sulphureous vapours, kindled 

 and burnt for two months together; this was in the summer 

 of 17^7- I shall not dispute the fact, though I could find no 

 tradition or report concerning it ; but if it took place, it could 

 not have been occasioned by sulphureous vapours, the nature 

 of the mountain not warranting the presence of such a com- 

 bustible, though it was probably of igneous origin. 



In exploring the mountain of Samos Ko, I came to an old 

 castle on the summit, which must have been very spacious. 

 Several stories are yet remaining; the walls are composed of 

 basaltic prisms, laid one upon another, arid cemented by avery 

 rough mortar, of -little solidity in its present state. 



The mountain of Salgo, at about three quarters of an hour's 

 journey from the village of that name, is a basaltic mass, rising 

 up among woods and forests scarcely penetrable, and every 

 where exhibiting marks of volcanic productions. They bring 

 to mind the masses of scori'aceous substances about volcanoes, 

 whether alive or extinguished, such as frequently are seen in 

 the Vivarais, under or between layers of basalts. The summit 

 of Salgo is a very narrow point ; the castle which bounded it 

 could never have been very extensive. Nothing is to be seen, 

 at present, but some remains of walls, which more resemble 



