96 
SCENERY OF SWITZERLAND. 
the configuration of the surface had been formerly 
what it is now, it is evident that the river would have 
formed a deep lake, the bottom of which it would 
have filled with river deposits, and round which we 
should find remains of lake terraces. Of such a lake, 
however, there is not a trace. 
Near Malpertuis the inclination of the ground 
changes, slowly at first, afterwards more rapidly. 
The slope of the valley coincides with that of the 
stream, and at Seyssel the Rhone is a river again. 
The relation of the drainage to the surface is there- 
fore very remarkable. 
We are driven then irresistibly to the conclusion 
that the high ridge between the Perte and Seyssel is 
of comparatively recent origin; that it has risen since 
the Rhone ran in its present channel, and that it 
was cut through by the river as it rose. 
M. Bourdon is disposed to think that it is 
actually still rising. He points out that the present 
heights in many cases differ from those marked on 
the Government map, but it is very possible that 
they may have been right when the measurements 
were made, and have since altered. 
There has been a law-suit going on for nearly 
two centuries between the Canton of Vaud and that 
of Geneva, the former alleging that the mills. 
