STALACTITES. 
36*7 
places where the stalactites abound, but is met 
with likewise in certain springs, where it generally 
incrusts whatever is laid in the water. This cir- 
cumstance has not been lost upon the ingenious ar- 
tists of those countries where the springs are found, 
who avail themselves of this incrusting property to 
form their cameos, has reliefs, &c. One of the most 
celebrated springs of this kind is that of the baths 
of St. Philippe in Tuscany. The water of this 
spring is very hot, and runs on an enormous mass 
of stalactite which it has from time to time de- 
posited. From this deposition an Italian artist has 
modelled several bas-reliefs of a beautiful whiteness. 
To obtain his deposit he places moulds of sulphur 
in a very oblique direction against the sides of tubs 
open at top and bottom. Each of these tubs is 
surmounted on the superior opening with a large 
cross of wood. The water of the spring, after having 
deposited its gross sediment, is conducted above the 
cross of wood, and dividing as it falls through the 
tubs, deposits a sediment in the moulds of a very 
fine texture. It requires from one to four months 
to form the bas-reliefs, according to the degree of 
substance it is intended to give them. 
The fountain of Saint-Allyre, near Clermont, in 
Auvergne, is famous for a strong incrustation, like a 
bridge, which it has thrown over the little stream 
that runs from it. 
Alabaster is sometimes formed in caverns in a 
very curious manner. Saussure tells us, that when 
he visited the grotto of Balme on the banks of the 
