THE LAKE OF GENEVA. 
97 
dams, etc., at Geneva have raised the level of the 
lake, flooding some of their roads and fields. The 
evidence they have produced seems conclusively to 
show a slight elevation of the level of the water. 
On the other hand, the people of Geneva appear to 
have proved that there has been no such change of 
level there. It seems possible that both may be 
right and that Geneva is even still slowly rising. 
Time will solve this interesting problem. 
The Sal^ve is probably a very recent mountain, 
and there is some reason to think that it is still rising. 
A glance at the map will show that it has diverted 
the course of the Arve, w'hich makes a loop round its 
north-eastern end. The elevation of the mountain has 
affected the slope of the river in opposite ways above 
and below. Below, of course, it increases the slope, 
and in consequence the Arve has cut out a deep, 
narrow gorge, almost a canon. Above, on the contrary, 
the slope is diminished, and the valley changed almost 
into a plain with a broad shallow river. As soon 
however as the elevation of the Sal^ve ceased the 
river would begin to eat into this plain, especially as 
the deposits are very loose in texture. This process, 
M. Bourdon says, is not yet begun, showing that the 
elevation must have been in process very recently, if 
it has even now altogether ceased. 
Scenery of Switzerland. II. 
7 
