92 The Founders of Geology LECT. 



different porphyries, and though he got a compact black 

 enamel, nothing appeared in the least resembling basalt, 

 whence he concluded that it could not be from the natural 

 fusion of such rocks as these that basalt was derived. 1 



These experiments are especially interesting, as they 

 mark the earliest beginnings of experimental geology. The 

 results obtained by them were negative, and De Saussure 

 did not advance further along the path he had thus opened 

 into a domain which was destined in future to become so 

 fruitful. But his name must ever be had in honour for 

 the share he took in establishing the use of direct experi- 

 ment in the elucidation of geological problems. He did 

 not live to put in practice the directions which he left for 

 the further exploration of the Alps by those who should 

 come after him. A disease, which perhaps took its rise 

 from the fatigues and privations of his life among the 

 mountains, began to increase upon him after his fiftieth 

 year. It was aggravated by anxiety on account of the 

 effect of the French Kevolution on his private resources. 

 After three successive strokes of paralysis he died in 1799 

 at the age of fifty-nine years. 



De Saussure was the first and most illustrious of that 

 distinguished band of geologists which Switzerland has 

 furnished to the ranks of science. To his inspiration and 

 example we owe the labours of Merian,Escher von der Linth, 

 Studer, Favre, and the later and living observers who have 

 so diligently and successfully unravelled the complicated 

 structure of the Alps. His descriptions of a great mountain- 

 chain form admirable models of careful observation and 

 luminous narrative. Though he did not add much to the 



1 Vol. i. p. 122-127. 



