AND GEOLOGICAL RELATIONS OF CERTAIN HOT SPRINGS. 
575 
springs, little preface seems necessary. I have found much to confirm the views 
stated by Dr. Daubeny and others as to the connexion of hot springs with fissures 
and lines of elevation. The remarks which I have to make respecting the Pyrenean 
waters chiefly occurred to myself from personal examination ; though I believe several 
of them are contained in the little known and less read works connected with that 
country. It is a fact worthy of remark, that the literature connected with the hot 
springs of the Pyrenees is very extensive, to the amount even of forming a small 
library. An examination and analysis of these works, and of the manuscript collec- 
tions formed by persons connected with that country, could scarcely fail to be really 
valuable. In a medical point of view the quantity of information is immense, and in 
many cases at least I have reason to believe that it is faithfully collected and impartially 
recorded. The objects of my inquiries brought me frequently in contact with the me- 
dical officers of the thermal establishments, from whom I received much kindness, as 
well as valuable information ; and amongst the multitude of proprietors or of at- 
tendants at the baths from whom I had often minute inquiries to make, I can scarcely 
recall a case where I was not received with the utmost civility, and even zealously 
aided in my experiments. To M. Darralde, Inspector of the Eaux Bonnes, M. Ba- 
la rd of Bareges, and MM. Barrau and Boileau of Bagneres de Luchon, my thanks 
are especially due. 
The abundance of hot springs in the Pyrenean range harmonizes with the very 
violent action which appears to have characterized the process of their elevation. Of 
this we have constant proofs ; and the fissured character of the valleys seems to be 
a consequence of the same event. 
The general connexion of the appearance of hot springs with granite is so remark- 
able in that country as to strike the observer at once ; but there are several other 
peculiarities not less worthy of note. The abundance of hot springs increases in a 
very remarkable manner as we advance eastward in the range, nor can any one have 
a just idea of the prodigal abundance of these thermal waters who has not visited 
the departments of the Arrikge and the Pyrenees Orientales. Their temperatures are 
also the highest. In this part of the chain granitic formations preponderate ; yet in 
almost every case which I have examined, if springs rise in granite, it is just at the 
boundary of that formation with a stratified rock. In a great many cases it happens 
that part of the springs rise from granite, and part from the slate or limestone in 
contact with it ; and a more striking instance of the immediate connexion between 
thermal waters and disturbed strata could not be desired. 
The springs of the Eaux Chaudes, Cauteretz, Bagneres de Luchon, Lez (in Spain), 
Aulus, Ax, Las Escaldas, Dorres, and Arles are all seated exactly at the boundary of 
the granite of the principal chain ; the six first on its northern*, the three last on its 
southern side. 
* It may perhaps be doubted whether a distinctly exposed connexion exists between the granite to which 
the springs of Bagneres de Luchon and Lez owe their origin, and the principal granitic axis. 
