^ 188 On the Formation of the Lake of Mauvoisin^ 
the other. Between Mont Pleureur and Mont Getroz (H), 
is a narrow and deep channel, at the top of which lies the 
glacier of Getroz (D). Enormous masses of ice are constant- 
ly precipitating themselves from this glacier into the ravine 
below, and, descending to the bottom of the valley, fill up the 
contracted channel of the Dranse. 
So early as the year 1595 the valley above the bridge of 
Mauvoisin was completely shut up by the descent of immense 
avalanches of ice. The water rose to an enormous height, and, 
on the evening of Sunday the 4th of June, the icy barrier which con- 
fined it, was weakened by the influence of the heat, and sudden- 
ly gave way. The accumulated waters took a whole hour to 
escape from their confinement. They descended the valley with 
irresistible fury, carrying along with them masses of rock of enor- 
mous magnitude ; tearing up every thing that obstructed their 
progress ; desolating the plains of Bagnes, St Branchier, and 
Bovernier ; and destroying the whole town of Martigny. The 
unfortunate inhabitants were reduced to the most abject pover- 
ty, and no fewer than from sixty to eighty perished in the tor- 
rent ‘I*. 
For several years previous to 1818, the progress of the 
Dranse had begun to be obstructed by the blocks of ice and 
avalanches of snow that descended from the glacier of Getroz ; 
and as soon this accumulation was able to resist the heats of 
summer, it acquired new magnitude during every preceding 
winter, till it became a homogenous mass of ice of a conical form. 
This cone, which is shewn in the perspective view of the Lake, 
Plate IV. had its summit in the ravine, about 100 feet above the 
Dranse, and, descending at an angle of 45 degrees, its base 
rested upon the precipitous flanks of Mont Mauvoisin. 
The waters of the Dranse, however, still found their way be- 
neath the icy cone till the month of April, when they were ob- 
served to have been dammed up, and to have formed a lake 
about half a league in length. The danger of a sudden efflux 
of the water was now apparent, and it was deemed necessary to 
* M. Ebel informs us, that the village of Bagnes, from which the valley re- 
ceives its name, was destroyed in 1545 by an inundation, in which 140 persons 
perished. Manuel (Vun Voyageur en Suisse, tom. ii. p. 188. 
■{* Biblioth. UniverscUe, Septerabre 1818, p. 89, 
