194 
SCENERY OF SWITZERLAND. 
thought enchanting. It has a tremendous volume 
of the purest azure water, which sometimes hides 
itself in cembratufted gorges, sometimes swims 
through grassy meadows with wide swirling curves 
that hollow out the turfy margin to their liking, 
sometimes carves a narrow monumental way through 
solid marble pure as Parian or Pentelican, sometimes 
falls thundering in cataracts encircled with a dozen 
changeful rainbows, sometimes glides deep and 
solemn in dark pools, which make one dream of 
death and long to dive in them and find the mys- 
tery.” * 
Below Reichenau are several remarkable hum- 
mocks in the valley, known as the Rosshtlgel, the 
origin of which has been much discussed. Heim 
regards them as the remains of a great rockfall. 
The valley here is occupied by gravel, etc., of 
unknown depth. The conspicuous band in the cliff 
on the left side of the valley below Chur is Neoco- 
mian. 
The upper part of Chur is built on the great 
cone of the Plessur. The Prattigau, which lies on 
the east side of the river from Chur to Maienfeld, is 
considered to be an area of subsidence. 
Symond’s Biography, vol. ri. 
