130 



ridge is represented, as being exclusively of a seconda- 

 ry formation. 



Without attempting further comment upon the opi- 

 nions of this Great Writer, it may be observed that 

 when travellers or historians, however eminent their 

 acquirements, or elevated their names and reputa- 

 tion, attempt a description of the geology of a country 

 and its minerals, and we hear them substitute the 

 term " tale bank," or " bed of isinglass,"* for a gra- 

 ni' ck ridge five miles in width and several hundred 

 miles in length when, moreover, we hear them 

 speak of " granite marble, ? 't an( l u calcareous gra- 

 nite,":): we have much reason to suspect, that their 

 knowledge of the subject is extremely superficial or 

 inadequate ; or that they have acquired their informa- 

 tion, on this subject, from some source out of the com- 

 mon order ; or one that is not known and recognised 

 by the geologists of the present day. 



The geology of this country, as well as that of al- 

 most every other, presents numerous appearances that 

 are calculated to mislead a superficial observer, and 

 to induce a belief, that they were decidedly of volca- 

 nick origin : while a more careful investigation, by a 

 more experienced eye, would produce a contrary be- 

 lief. 



The Chevalier Lammanon was so firmly convinced 

 that the trap formation of the Alps of Champsaur, 



* Volney's View, p. 100. f See Shaw's Travels. 

 \ Ali Be^'s Travels. 



