THE VALAIS. 
137 
the Zermatt valley from the heights of Monte Rosa 
originated the idea of the lost valley; and cer- 
tainly the more one sees of it the more enchanting 
it is. 
If, as we ascend the Simplon route from Brieg, 
we look across to the Baltschiederthal on the op- 
posite side of the Rhone valley, the contrast be- 
tween the rounded outlines of the glaciated rocks 
below, and sharp jagged ridges of the Genthorn, 
the Gredetschhorn, and the Hohen Egg, is very 
striking. 
From Baltschieder to Morel, with a small ex- 
ception at the mouth of the Massa, the north side of 
the Rhone is Gneiss, while the south is Mica Schist. 
At the entrance of the Massa, however, and perhaps 
owing to its influence in bygone ages, the Rhone 
seems to have been forced somewhat to the south. 
However this may be it has cut through the Mica 
Schist, leaving a mass on the north side, which is 
bisected by the Massa. 
For some distance above the mouth of the Massa 
the valley is occupied by the debris of rockfalls. The 
blocks are scattered in wild eonfusion, and some are 
as large as cottages. 
The Valais contains also several ancient moraines, 
one east of Filet opposite Zenhitusern, and a larger 
