MOU 
worked at llie foot of the Wetterhorn, but 
it has since be4ui covered by the inferior 
glacier. The Sclieidek consists intirely of 
black slate, which continues to compose the 
chain that divides GrindeUvald from tlic 
plains of Hash and the lake ot Drientz. 
Mr. Coxe concludes his interesting obser- 
vations in the tollovving words, “ As I des- 
cended the .Scheidek, I observed on my 
right hand, the chain that joins the 'W etter- 
horn, and runs towards the Grimsel. As 
I have not particularly examined this chain, 
I shall only remark, in general, that from 
an investigation of the stones and fragments 
which strew the vallies and sides of the 
lulls, it appears to contain the same species 
of marble, which I found on the superior 
glacier of Gvindelwald, also red slate, argil- 
laceous brescia, and various granites. But 
thus much is certain, that the front of these 
mountains is intirely concealed by secon- 
dary substances ; and that the true region 
pf granite was not apparent, until I had 
passed Meyringen, and ascended the Grim- 
sel, during the greatest part of which as- 
cent, I only noticed lamellaled rocks and 
granite. This is the true region of granite, 
and other primitive rocks, the heart of the 
central chain, and the great observatory of 
the naturalist.” 
It is vain to think of enteriiig into an ex- 
amination of the various peculiarities of 
the stupendous mountains which extend iu 
every direction throughout the explored 
surface of our globe, w'e shall therefore 
coniine ourselves to one other ch ■in, from 
which, and what has previously been said, 
a tolerable conception may be formed of 
those grand and sublime objects, the admi- 
ration of each generation from the hour of 
creation to the present moment. 
Tlie Atlas is an extensive chain, forming 
a crescent across tlie empire of Morocco, 
nearly from the north to the south, the 
nortliern extremity reaching to the Straights 
of Gibraltar. They are intersected by deep 
vallies, and distinguished by the names 
of the Greater and Lesser Atlas ; their 
height is very great, and particularly near 
the city of Morocco j where, although si- 
tuated so far to the south, their summits are 
perpetually covered with snow. The dif- 
ficulty attending the exploration of the 
country, has hitherto repressed the curiosity 
of tlie philosopher, who would meet witli lit- 
tle respect from the natives, and jirobably 
a summary fate through tlie despotism of the 
government ; under these circumstances we 
arc compelled to receive casual information 
MUC 
instead of philosophical certainty, and to 
adopt as fact what might perhaps on exa- 
mination prove mere conjecture or mis- 
information, such may be the assertion, that 
the cold on the summits is fatal to animal 
life, as it is said certain Brebes, who at- 
tempted to ascend the Atlas, died on tlie 
spot. These mountains abound witli curi- 
ous plants, well w'orth tlie attention of bo- 
tanists ; and it is further asserted, that they 
contain gold, and plenty of iron-ore, and 
that part of the chain is volcanic. Mr, 
Lempriere, who crossed the Atlas in De. 
cember 1790, observes, “ on the upper 
parts, in some places, there was nothing to 
he seen but an huge mass of barren and 
rugged rocks, wdiose perpendicular and im- 
mense lieights formed precipices, which, 
upon looking down, tilled the mind with in- 
expressible horror ; in others, we passed 
through thick and extensive forests of the 
arga tree, which, though it afibrded an 
agreeable variety, being the only vegetable 
on tlie mountains, very little lessened the 
general appearance of barrenness. It is 
by no means a very easy matter to describe 
tlie different sensations which are expe- 
rienced in passing over these wonderful 
mountains. Their immeuse height, tlie 
dangerous precipices, the vales, which from 
their depth appeared like so many abyssc.s, 
inspired altogelher an emotion of awe and 
terror, wliich may be better conceived than 
^expressed. On the other hand, the unli- 
mited and great variety of prospects disco- 
verable from their summits ; the numerous 
herds of goats and slieep which were scram- 
bUng over the almost perpendicular cliff's ; 
and the universal barrenness of the moun- 
tains, contrasted with the beautiful verdure 
of the vallies immediately below, formed on 
the whole a scene sufficiently beautiful and 
picturesque, to counterbalance the inconve- 
niences we otherwise suffered.” 
MOUSE. SeeMus. 
MOUTH, in anatomy, a part of the face, 
consisting of tlie lips, tlie gums, tlie inside.s 
of the clieeks, the palate, the salival glands, 
the os hyoides, tlie uvula, and the tonsils. 
See .Anatomy. 
MUCILAGE, in chemistry, is contained 
in the roots and leaves of a great uuniber of 
plants. Almost all the bulbous roots and 
fleshy leaves yield it. The bulbs of tlie 
hyacinth contains so inucli, that wlien dried, 
they may be employed as a substitute for 
gum-arabic. See Gum. Mucilage is some- 
times found nearly pure, exuding from the 
bark and twigs of many vegetables, and 
