DEPAKTMBNT OF THE PYRENEES. 



287 



and the Maladetta, and other zones of the primitive formation may be 

 trace! to the east and west of those mountains. 



" The secondary formation, or transition rooks, of which the greater mass 

 of the mountain range is composed, consists of argillaceous schist, schistoze, 

 and common grauwack, and limestone. These formations contain some 

 minerals, principally iron ore, copper, and argentiferous lead. The iron ore 

 is found in a white saccharine altered limestone, principally in the eastern 

 portion of the range. The iron mines, in the valleys and gorges transverse 

 to the Val d'Ussat, have been worked for centuries, and still employ a large 

 number of miners ; but the copper and lead mines are abandoned. 



"On the other hand, the quantity of zinc ores, and especially calamine, 

 yielded by the mines near Santander, within the last two or three years 

 [previous to 1859], has been very great. I may also mention, that a 

 remarkable deposit of rock salt, consisting of two vast masses, one of which 

 measures 250 yards by 130 yards, exists on the side of the mountain of 

 Cardona, and is still worked. 



" French geologists formerly maintained that the Pyrenean range rose d, 

 'an seul jet ; but recent investigation shows that, notwithstanding the 

 general unity and simplicity of its structure, six, if not seven, systems of 

 dislocation, each chronologically distinct, may be made out. 



" In great mountain chains, the lower elevations are commonly composed 

 of secondary and transition formations, through which the granite pierces, 

 and forms the highest mountain peaks. In tlie Pyrenean system, however, 

 the case is different ; for the highest peaks of the chain are composed of 

 marine calcareous beds, the organic remains of which are pronounced by 

 eminent geologists, including Sir Charles Lyell, to be equivalent to our 

 chalk and green sand period. Recently, however, it has been discovered 

 that the most modern of the Pyrenean rocks contain the same description 

 of Eocine fossils as those found at Biaritz. 



" Solemn thoughts fill the mind when we reflect that the proud peaks of 

 the Marborfe and Mont Perdu are studded with shells which once lived in 

 the depths of the ocean. Looking wonderingly at them, we seem to hear 

 the words, — ' Where wast thou when I laid the foundation of the earth % 

 and declare if thou hast understanding V 



" The dislocations in the Pyrenean system are intimately connected with 

 the thermal springs ; and as these form a prominent feature in the physical 

 geography of these mountains, and possess high scientific importance, some 

 account of the peculiar phenomena which they exhibit may not be un- 

 acceptable. 



" Their number, as they ' spring through the veins of the mountains,' is ex- 

 traordinary, no less than 25.3 being known ; and there is a great and almost 

 romantic interest in the fact, that they have for many centuries been cease- 

 lessly pouring forth an almost unvarying quantity of water, for the most 

 part of a high temperature, in some cases approaching ebulition. Remark- 

 able, too, is the fact, that these waters, rising through vast earth and rock 

 masses, undergo no change in their solid or gaseous composition. The 

 same mineral water medicines, furnished in inexhaustilile supplies centuries 

 ago to our forefathers, still flows without change or stint." 



There follow some disquisitions on themal springs, which I omit as not so 

 germane to the subject of rebyisement. After these he goes on to say, — 



'■ Tiie Pyrenean valleys are much lower than the Alpine ; few being more 

 than 2,000 feet above the level of the sea, whereas those in the Alps are 



