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198 F A L L O F M O N T G R E N I E R . F A L L O F M O N T G R E N I E R . 199
with my telescope from below. Under this
molasse are distinctly seen thin strata, probably
of limestone, alternating with soft
strata. The annexed cut represents the
east wing of the mountain, and a small
part of the Abymes de Myans. There
can be little doubt that the catastrophe
was caused by the gradual erosion of
the soft strata, which undermined fhe
mass of limestone above, and projected it
into the plain ; it is also probable, that
the part which fell, had for some time,
been nearly detached from the mountain
by a shrinking of the southern side, as
there is at present a rent at this end, upwards
of 2000 feet deep, which seems to
have cut off a large section from the eastern
end, that now
« Hangs in doubtful ruins o’er its base,”
as if prepared to renew the catastrophe of
1248.
The Abymes de Myans are hills, or rather
monticules of a conical shape, varying
in height from twenty to thirty feet ; they
cover about nine square miles. Each of
these monticules may be considered as a
detached heap of ruins, composed of fragments
of calcareous strata, some of which
o 4
f ft’