Environs ofLons le Saunier. 153 



the talus would be covered with vegetable soil, and would 

 onlv from time to time be exposed to the falling masses. 



If it is observed that the calcareous mass is split in all di- 

 rections perpendicular to its strata, and that it breaks in right 

 lined prisms, it will be seen why the escarpments are always 

 perpendicular to the beds; and the regular and constant 

 form presented by the sides of the valleys will not be at all 

 surprising. 



The upper part of the third valley above mentioned, 

 known by the name of Roche de Baume, appears much more 

 recent than the others ; the escarpments oflFer considerable 

 precipices, from which frequent falls occur ; the debris form 

 a perfectly regular talus of 45% which is not any where 

 covered by vegetable soil ; and it is probable that ages may 

 elapse before it can be cultivated. 



The form of these valleys present the same sinuosities as 

 a serpentine river ; the salient angles of one side correspond- 

 ing with the re-entering angles of the other. If these par- 

 tial deviations are disregarded, there are but two principal 

 directions, one from S. to N. the same as that of the longi- 

 tudinal vallies, and the other from S.E. to N.W. 



It is remarkable that when the first direction is changed 

 into the second, there is generally found on the east a small 

 accessory valley, rounded in the form of a gulf. 



This fact may be observed in the valley of Macornais, 

 opposite Moyron, in that of Lons le Saunier opposite Ravig- 

 ny and Conliege, and in that of Voiteur, opposite the Abbey 

 of Baume, and above Ncvy. 



Does not this shew that the waters of the sea retired from 

 this country in a general direction from S. to N. ? that the 

 interior currents formed in the midst of the marls, having 

 met with obstacles in certain points, had in their course 

 rushed from right to left, but not being able to force a pas- 

 sage towards the east, they only formed a kind of circus 

 there, returning upon themselves, so as to throw themselves 

 wholly towards the N.W. ? 



The entrance of a deep cave is perceived in the small 

 gulf of Revigny, composed of immense subterranean cham- 



