Hints for the Formation of 
show - rocks and grass-plats ; and others, of doable these 
dimensions, for the hard snow. 
19. In the last place, with regard to provisions, when 
the traveller must reside for a considerable time in the 
desarts, at a distance from habitations, and even huts, he 
may carry with him some salt or pickled meat ; but M. 
Parmeniier s saloop of potatoes, with cakes of portable 
soup, and bread, will form the most nourishing food, and 
wkaX may be contained in the least room. A small iron 
cliaUng-dish, a small bag tilled with charcoal, and a pan 
of tinned copper or iron, form my kitchen apparatus for 
the mountains' : wooden plates and spoons may be found 
in the remotest huts. It will he proper, however, to car- 
ry always in the pocket a cup of gum elastic, in order 
that the traveller may at all times easily quench his thirst, 
a want to which, he will he frequently exposed in his 
excursions. 
From what has been said, it may be readily seen, that 
the study of geology will not suit the indolent or sensual : 
for the life of the geologue must be divided betw een fa- 
tiguing and perilous journies, in which lie is deprived of 
almost all the conveniences of life, and the varied and 
deep researches of the closet. But what is still more rare, 
and perhaps more necessary than the zeal requisite to 
surmount these obstacles, is, a mind free from prejudice, 
filled with an ardent desire for the truth alone, rather than 
with a desire for raising or destroying systems ; capable 
of descending to minute details indispensibly necessary 
for the correctness and certainty of observations, and of 
rising to grand views and general conceptions. Those 
fond of such studies, ought not, however, to be discou- 
raged by these difficulties ; there is no traveller who may 
not make some good observation, and bring with him at 
least one stone worthy of being employed in the construc- 
tion of this grand edifice. It is indeed possible to be use- 
