212 LIFE OF PROFESSOR HUXLEY CHAP, xi 



a hundred yards, which is less than that of the spot whence 

 Forbes' view of the (supposed) structure is taken. 



I saw another wonderful thing in La Brenoa. About 

 the middle of its length there is a step like this of about 

 20 or 30 feet in height. In the lower part (B) the 

 structural planes are vertical ; in the upper (A) they dip 

 at a considerable angle. I thought I had found a case of 

 unconformability, indicating a slip of one portion of the 

 glacier over another, but when I came to examine the 

 intermediate region (X) carefully, I found the structural 

 planes at every intermediate angle, and consequently a 

 perfect transition from the one to the other. 



I returned by Aosta, the Great St. Bernard, and the 

 Col de Balme. Old Simond was quite affectionate in his 

 discourse about you, and seemed quite unhappy because 

 you would not borrow his money. He had received your 

 remittance, and asked me to tell you so. He was dis- 

 tressed at having forgotten to get a certificate from you, so 

 I said in mine that I was quite sure you were well satis- 

 fied with him. 



On our journey he displayed his characteristic qualities, 

 Je ne sais pas being the usual answer to any topographical 

 inquiries, with a total absence of nerve, and a general con- 

 viction that distances were very great and that the weather 

 would be bad. However, we got on very well, and I was 

 sorry to part with him. 



I came home by way of Neuchatel, paying a visit to 

 the Pierre a Bot, which I have long wished to see. My 

 financial calculations were perfect in theory, but nearly 

 broke down in practice, inasmuch as I was twice obliged 

 to travel first -class when I calculated on second. The 

 result was that my personal expenses between Paris and 

 London amounted to 1.50 ! ! and I arrived at my own 

 house hungry and with a remainder of a few centimes. I 

 should think that your fate must have been similar. 



Many thanks for writing to my wife. She sends her 

 kindest remembrances to you. Ever yours, T. H. H. 



