J, W. Judd — On Yolcajios, 



65 



As illustrating the stages by which geologists have been gradually 

 led to the adoption of their present views, we cannot perhaps do 

 better than to relate "the story of the Kammerbiihl." 



The Karnmerbiihl, or Kammerberg (see Fig. 1), which is situated 

 a little west of the road leading from, the ancient town of Eger to 

 the modern health-resort of Franzenbad in Bohemia, and about a 



Fig. 1. — The Kammerbiilil or Kammerberg, Bohemia, as seen from the South-west. 



mile and a half from both places, was styled by Goethe " a pocket 

 edition of a volcano." The interest which this object has excited 

 among geologists arises neither from its magnitude nor from the per- 

 fection of its preservation, for in both these respects it is surpassed 

 by hundreds of volcanic cones which might be mentioned in Italy, 

 the Auvergne, and the Ehineland. But from its position, almost in 

 the midst of the camp of the Wernerian school, it has been the 

 object of many a fierce controversy, and it enjoys the probably 

 unique distinction of being a volcanic cone of which the internal 

 structure has actually been demonstrated by means of mining opera- 

 tions carried on within and around it. 



The word " biihl " is an archaic German one, signifying a low hill, 

 the distinctive appellation being derived from the district in which 

 it is situated — the Kammerwald. The Kammerbiihl stands upon 

 a plateau composed of mica-schist with much quartz, the surface of 

 which is about 1500 feet above the sea-level. The hill itself is a 

 very small one, with gentle slopes, its elevation above the surround- 

 ing plain being only 126 feet ; but it is conspicuous on account^ of 

 its isolation. Its base is enveloped and concealed by the thick 

 superficial deposits of recent date, for at no very distant period the 

 whole country round must have formed a series of vast lakes and 

 morasses, many portions of which are still undrained. The base of 

 the hill is an irregular oval in form, about 500 yards long and 



