126 SOIREES AT THE LIVERPOOL ROYAL INSTITUTION. 
their angles and perpendicular precipices, which have a marked smoothness and 
nakedness; many examples of this kind were to be seen in the Alps. The 
breaking off of large portions of granite rock was sometimes followed by dangerous 
results, in overturning into ruins, and burying all that opposed them,. like a 
falling avalanche. The scenery of Mont Blanc was described to us in a most 
vivid and eloquent manner. The secondary formation included a vast variety of 
scenery; it presented to us what is commonly called landscape seenery, and the 
romantic; boundless plains, mountains, and lovely fruitful vallies. Limestone 
surface presented a great variety of surface ; the colour varies very much, some¬ 
times being of a bluish cast, and the mountains are generally conical, the scenery 
of Berne affording the finest specimens of it. The Sandstone had a very 
extensive range in England; it was generally distinguished by flowing hills and 
fertile vallies, as the beautiful vale of Wharfedale, in Yorkshire. Alluvian 
formations ought to be considered rather as a covering to others than as a distinct 
class; the most remarkable specimen of this kind of surface was seen in the 
plains of Lombardy, and their fertility was well known. The Basalt formations 
of the Giants’ Causeway, and the peculiar construction of Basaltic rock pillars, 
was alluded to, and the volcanic formation was slightly touched upon. The 
whole country round Borne was flat and barren, with occasional hills, the result 
of volcanic action, and in the bottoms of extinct craters several lakes occurred. 
The south coast of Italy also afforded striking evidence of subterranean action, 
appearing as if shaken into fragments. The paper was illustrated by a series of 
paintings of different scenery, and of chalk drawings, prepared for the occasion by 
one of the pupils of the Institution schools. 
We had a great many fresh paintings and works deposited for the amusement 
and gratification of the company, principally relating to Ornithology. Amongst 
them were Selby’s Illustrations of British Birds , Gould’s Birds of Europe , 
Gould’s Century of Himalayan Birds , and some fine engravings of the plants 
of Coromandel. 
Mr. B. Adie attempted to perform some experiments with the large plate 
electrical machine belonging to the Institution, but the evening was unfavourable 
for it, and he exhibited to the company the action of a powerful electro-magnetic 
apparatus. 
Wood side, near Liver pool, 
Jan. 16, 1838. 
