the lake of geneva. 
83 
CHAPTER XV. 
THE LAKE OF GENEVA, 
ilon Lac est le Premier. — VOLTAIRE. 
The Lake of Geneva is 45 miles in length, and 
about 10 in breadth. It is 375 metres above the 
Sea, and 309 in depth. 
The bottom, moreover, is covered by subsequent 
deposits to an unknown depth, so that at one time 
it was probably below, perhaps much below, the Sea 
level. Indeed, if the slopes of the mountains at 
Meillerie and Vevey (see Fig. 100) are continued 
under the bed of the lake, the alluvium must have a 
thickness of no less than 600-800 metres, which 
would make it 200-400 metres below the Sea level. 
The actual outlet at Geneva is in superficial debris, 
but the river comes upon solid rock at Vernier, 
1197 feet above the Sea level, 33 feet therefore 
below the surface level of the lake, and 951 feet 
above the bottom. It is therefore a tore rock 
basin. 
In the Port of Geneva, a little to the S.E. of the 
6 * 
