On the Physical Geography of the Alps. 367 
above Inspruck, by a narrow gap in the mica-schist mountains of 
the right bank. The great volume of the water of the Oetz 
alone shows that there exists an extensive valley behind this nar-_ 
row cleft. The valley is composed of a series of great basins; 
the mountains, retreating mostly on both sides and less frequently 
merely on one side, enclose wide level valley-bottoms. These 
basins are connected in two ways; either, from a sudden subsi- 
dence or depression of the floor of the valley, a high precipice 
divides them, or there occurs a longer interruption by means of 
aravine. The last is here more common, whilst we find the 
sudden depressions more developed in the Tauern Alps. 2. he 
Mallthal and its three basins, with a profile; and 3. The Fusch- 
thal, with its three basins. The interesting basins of the Gas- 
tein, noticed by Von Buch, are also described (p. 207). 
_ Longitudinal Valleys.—T hese long-valleys are very numerous 
in the Alps, and possess 2 similar alternation of basins and ravines 
as that so constant in the transverse valleys. This character 
however suffers certain modifications, owing to the great longi- 
tudinal extension and the less height and inclination of the former. 
Special examples of their most important phenomena are given 
in detailed descriptions of the longitudinal valleys of the Drau 
Rienz, which, properly speaking, form one great valley (the 
Pusterthal ) dividing the long chain of the crystalline slates in the 
Tauern Alps from the southern limestone Alps. 
posed : 2. wind 
parallel lines. The long valleys ee these “‘groups” an 
irections. e 
ce take very various direction th, 0.she. two Arins of the 
Etsch Valley, and many others. spe 
They meet the most part reducible to two divisions. The 
he transverse valieys. ‘The water- 
eys is sometimes formed by a b 
mountains and slopes gentl 
