AMONG THE VOLCANOS AND GLACIERS OF AUVERGNE. 
7 
assuming precisely the aspect of blocs perches. Another route 
across a granite countiy is to go by Chamalieres over the 
Plateau de Prudelle by Sarsenat to Channat, and then to return 
by Nohanent and the Cotes de Clermont. 
At Prudelle, at the height of 2,31 3 ft. above the sea, we find 
an ancient columnar basalt resting on granitic. The valley of 
Villar has been excavated in the granitic rocks since the overflow 
of this basalt, and down this valley has flowed the modern lava 
current from the Puy de Pariou. The geologist will not fail to 
remark the difference of position between the older and more 
modern lava currents. It is a good walk eastward across the 
granite country to the Puy de Channat, which is worth ex- 
amining, as the recent volcanic masses have been blown right 
through a granite platform in advance of the line of the Puys 
de Dome. 
The Volcanic Outbursts of the Puys cle Borne. — Le Puy de 
Dome is the great excursion from Clermont, and every geologist 
will ascend this noble mountain, which towers to the height of 
nearly 5,000 ft. above the sea, and is so striking an object from 
every point of view in the surrounding country. From its 
summit and observatory he will also gain some idea of the geo- 
graphy of the wonderful region around him, and mayhap from 
the grand panorama somewhat of its geology. There are vol- 
canos all around, red with volcanic ashes, and craters yawning 
on their sides or peaks. There are hills rising high above the 
vales, which owe their protection to lava streams which flowed 
in ages so long ago that the volcanos which emitted them have 
been utterly swept away by denudation and degradation, or 
what was left has been obliterated by later volcanic outbursts. 
Then there are valleys which have been scooped out since the 
older basalts flowed, and these again bristle with lava torrents 
poured forth from the modern volcanos, which run in a line 
north and south from the Puys de Dome. On the flank of the 
mountain itself blossom beautiful wild flowers. The noble 
yellow Oentian {Gentiana lutea) and the Martagon Lily ( Lilium 
Mart agon), with Melittis grandiflora, Arnica montana, Ashan - 
tia major, Rhinanthus major, and a score of other plants, 
were found by us in the sunny month of June, though snow 
still lingered on the heights of Mont Dore away to the south- 
wards. Then there are rivers sparkling in the vale, and great hills 
looming in the distance, with hillsides clothed, some with forests, 
some with vines, and others bare and scorched as if by volcanic 
fires still slumbering beneath. Clouds gather over one distant 
range, and the sun shine lights up another, and you hear the thunder 
muttering from afar, while from below comes the tinkling of 
the sheep-bell, or a neighbouring church bell clangs through the 
still clear air. There is much to be seen from the Puy de Dome. 
