Ibrefeeing numberlefs diflicultiesj both on account of the interior part of the rock, which
may vary, as I am much inclined to think that the nucleus of the mountain is granitic;
and if fo, too hard to allow them to continue; and the probability of their meeting with
extenlive caverns or opcningSj the w idt h of which muft unavoidably impede Iheir progrefs.
The annexed drawing. No. 2, will however give an exadt idea of its entrance.
I t is true that the Col de Tende, from the rugged and irregular furface to its fximmit,
appears to be formed of a fpecies of greeniih lapis ollaris, or a k ind of ferpcntinc and lamellated
rock-ftone, callcd by Wallerius ' Saxum fimplex fiffili Micaceum;' but as there arc
alfo vafl; quantities of granitic ilones, which appear as if they grew out of the furface of
the moiintain, it is apparent that its interior muf t be entirely formed of the fame, and that
the lapis ollaris, &c. is merely the ihell or covering.
As a farther proof of this conjeihire, the nort l iem and fouthem fides of this moiintain,
where the torrents by their continual friillon and impctuoiity have carried or waflied away
tlie fchiili and micaceous talc whicli covered its bafe, huge maffes of a deep red granite with
black fpots, mixed widi a yellowiih white, are neverthelefs difcemible, iimilar to thofe I
have already noticed. Befides the majeftic and lofty peak of Comio, which ftands in a
northern direilion from the Col, is totally granitic, as are likewife the greateft part of the
mountains which border the valley of Tende.
It is alfo certain that I have not been able to difcover, amongft the rocks wliich are
foreign to the fcite of this mountain, any veftiges of foffils ; which evidently ferves to eftab
l i ih the idea, that the fea did not flop or remai n a long time on thofe heights, if indeed i t
did overflow t h em all entirely; and that its efFed or ai t ion in its change was as fudden
as it was violent.
As I ihall have again occaiion to notice this pafs in tlic following chapter, I iliall for
the prcfent rclinquiih this fubjeit, and return to the fubterraneous opening, which is
reckoned to be three quarters of an hour's afcent, witliout the leaft intermiffion, to the
fummit. The road now begins to be as tremendous as it is aftoniihing and curious: at
times afcending for a vaft diftance along the fide of a large and wide flratum of ftupcndous
and abrupt rocks, flielving over cach other in a terrific manner: at othei-s, fupported by
walls of immenfc thicknefs, which overlook a deep and frightful precipice. At lengdi,
after three hours afcent from the valley of Limon, wc arrived at the fummi t of the Col
fo called from there being no plain at the top, as on the Mont s St. Bernard, Cenis, St.
* Or neck.
I •
s .