(342 THE UNIVERSE. 



prospects from their summits are not the only ones that 

 excite moving impressions, and the vales which show in 

 the distance like insignificant irregular lines, if they do not 

 present such vast horizons, displa)^ at any rate unexpected 

 and marvellous appearances. Here and there we find 

 |)rofound and narrow gorges, immense abysses, the sombre 

 hollows of which the eye cannot fathom, and in the depths 

 of which often rolls a furious torrent, its thunders multi- 

 plied a hundred-fold l)y the echoes. Everything threatens 

 the daring traveller who ventures to plunge into their 

 abysses. On one hand the avalanche hangs suspended over 

 his head, and on the other evexy now and then fragments 

 of rock fall down and threaten to crush him. 



Almost all these imposing gorges are the effect of 

 convulsions of the globe, and the first glance shows that 

 they have resulted from a violent fracture of the moun- 

 tains and separation of the fragments. We can identify 

 these great fissiu'cs by the similarity which their Avails 

 present in respect to the layers of which they are formed, 

 and by the irregularity of their cha.sms, in the depths of 

 which reign shade and terror. Our superstitious ances- 

 tors, overcome l:)y the awe which these darksome clefts 

 inspirei], often gave them names expressive of the dread 

 they gave rise to, as for instance calling them hell vallej's, 

 hell holes, or devil's goiges. 



In all high mountains, such as the Alps and Pyrenees, 

 we see some which are thus designated. But certainty 

 one of the nnjst remarkal)lc of these g(U^ges is the Hell 

 Valley in the Black Forest. I passed through it during a 

 severe wisitcr, and nothing could equal the dark horror it 

 inspired. ]Masses of snow hung suspended on its buttresses, 

 and their whiteness contrasted strongly with the gloomy 

 mouth of the infernal abyss. This portico to the 



