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calcareous stone, with strata scarcely discernible, very little iaclined to the horizon,
and containing no fossils. To this succeeded a bluish schistus, with thin lamine of no
considerable coherency, and covered to the summit by a number of strata of differentcoloured
gypsum 5 but, what is more remarkable, this same species of stone is equally
conspicuous on the eastern as well as the western sides of the mountain, following the
same order, and of similar corresponding thicknesses.
From the summit of tliis mountain the prospect is both beautiful and extensive,,
commanding a large tract of land, including not only the town of Sion and the course
of the Rhône as far as Martignie, but even extending almost up to its source. An
object among the rest, which to a geologist becomes interesting, is the number of small
isolated hills, of three or four hundred feet above the present level of the Rhône,
dispersed at the bottom of the valley, and forming, as it were, so many detached
islands, the summits of which appear to indicate the elevation of the valley prior to the
total retreat of the sea, and make It, doubtless, reasonable to suppose, that they owe
their origin to the current of those same waters, aided since then by that of the Rhône,
which, by imperceptibly furrowing their channel, have left these hills thus raised above
the present level of the valley,—a supposition still more strongly evinced by their shape
and structure ; for the latter may be considered as being properly composed of heaps of
fragments from the primitive mountains, covered by a thick vegetable stratum, and their
shape tliat of a truncated cone. These hills, which are cultivated and wooded to their
summits, are extremely picturesque, and exhibit the most pleasing variety of tints
imaginable.
The town of Siders, or Sierre, the next place of any extent through which I passed,
is well built, and the capital of one of the dizains. The houses are handsome, with a
great appearance of cleanliness : consequently the crétins and goitres are much less
conspicuous here than in other parts of the Valíais : in fact, the whole district is
rich and fertile, both in vineyards and pasturage. Mineral coal is likewise found
there ; and in the lesser valleys, which terminate in that of the Rhône, are mines of
copperas, pyrites, and silver ore of a greyish tinge, which have never been worked,
though there are others of solid cobalt which have, and from whence the inhabitants,
for a time, drew some little advantage; but, owing either to policy, or some particular
reasons of government, they were never encouraged, and, of course, soon after totally
abandoned. •
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The mountains which skirt the valley of the Rhône, from Siders to Leuk, or Leugg,
are, with few exceptions, similar to those from Sion to Siders, the schistus only seeming
to vary in coherency and thickness ; and though the channel of the Rhône here gradually
contracts, yet does it not prevent the view of a succession of rich fields and
smiling meadows, situated at the bottom of the valley. The town of Leuk, which may
be reckoned about twenty English miles distant from Sion, is the capital of its own
district, which is less extensive than that of Siders. It is seated at the mouth of the
torrent De La, where it throws itself into the Rhône, is surrounded by a wall, as
already observed, and stands on an eminence which commands the eastern and western
sides of the valley in nearly its whole extent.
The surrounding country exhibits an uninterrupted variety of pleasing and interesting
prospects : but what is most extraorcUnary, and in fact ought to be seen by every
Alpine traveler, are the famous baths of Loiche, which become remarkable from their
situation, as well as the road made across Mont Gemmi, another lofty mountain, though
still impassable for carriages. Being anxious to make this excursion, I arrived at Leuk
in great expectation; but finding the weather unfavourable for the attempt. It having
rained the whole day, I deferred my intention til! the next morning, and then set off
at a very early hour, that I might have more time to examine not only the baths, and
the environs of the valley in which they are situated, but likewise the stupendous rocks
of Albinen, which are nearly contiguous ; for though the distance from Leuk to the
baths be only nine English miles, yet, from the mountainous state of the major part of
the road, one whole day is scarcely sufficient to complete that distance, and return to
Leuk the same night.
Having, in consequence, furnished myself with a guide at the last-mentioned town,
we directed our course to the mountain of Gemmi, which is in the vicinity of the baths,
though rather towards the north. We first of all entered a contracted valley, at the
bottom of which rolls the torrent De La, with such impetuosity, that the roar of its
water oftentimes drowns the human voice.
This valley takes its name from the torrent ; and, in the space of three or four miles,
becomes so deep and narrow, that it appears as a perpendicular fissure only, through
which the torrent continues rushing, at the extreme depth of two thousand feet beneath
the road, exhibiting a frightful precipice, filling the mind with a mixture of terror
and surprise, which is further increased by the tremendous noise of the water, re-echoed
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