72 M. Brochant on the 



occurs on the sides of mountains, or sometimes forms white 

 slopes resembling snow, (^valley of St. Bon.)* 



It is also seen on the summits, at least on the crest of the 

 first escarpments. But what is very remarkable in a country 

 where (he beds are always highly inclined, it is not seen to 

 descend lower, excepting the fallen masses which are evi- 

 dently out of place ; they do not therefore form part of the 

 mass of the lock. I nevertheless conceived that I had se- 

 veral times discovered beds of gypsum near Moutiers, some- 

 times in the midst of transition limestone, at others in the 

 midst of the anthracite formation ; yet notwithstanding my 

 researches I have never been able to acquire a positive proof 

 of it ; the rocks which give rise to this conjecture being too 

 much fallen over, and too much covered with vegetable 

 earth : I should now consider this conjecture more probable 

 from the observations made in Piedmont and the Valais, 

 during my tour in 1813, of which 1 shall hereafter give an 

 account. 



These summits, crowned by gypsum, never attain a greater 

 elevation than from 2,000 to 2,400 metres + [about 6562 

 to 7874 feet]. 1 hey are not actually the summits, but the 

 first escarpments of the mountains, serving as a base to the 

 high valleys, the region of pastures. In the bottom of these 

 high valleys masses of gypsum are also sometimes found, 

 but, are always superficial, :}: and not in sufficient quantity 

 to give a complete idea of their formation in basins ; an idea 

 that I do not pretend to adopt, but which almost inevitably 

 presents itself when these gypsums are met with, and are 

 seen occupying the bottoms of ancient high valleys. I shall 

 have occasion to cite a more striking example. || 



The points where gypsum is found in the Tarentaise are 

 comprised in the valleys where the anthracite formation 

 abounds, often with vegetable impressions ; § I at first paid 



* Corresponding appearances have been remarked with regard to the 

 gypsum of Salzburg. 



+ St. Bon, Champagny, Croix de Fessons. 



± Near the Lake de Tines, Gebrulaz, and Pesey. 



d In tlie Val Caiiaria. 



§ Valley of Bosel, Brides, Champagny, Gebrulaz, St. Bon, Moutiers, 

 Valley of Pesey, and the Val d'Arbonne opposite. 



