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[Page 5]
Calcareous mountains are broken into vast chasms, abound in declivities & caverns & may be farther [further] distinguishd [distinguished] by their tint.
There are no Mountains altogether so picturesque as these. Most of the great chains which traverse Europe are chiefly composed of calcareous strata.
Mountains of Granit [Granite] Gneiss & Micaceous Slate have less boldness of character & more uniformity.
The first rarely occur in ridges & present not often unequivocal marks of a regular stratification. The rock however divides into vast masses which are exposed on various parts of the surface & may be distinguishd [distinguished] by their grotesque appearance at a distance.
Mountains of Gneiss & Micaceous Slate are not only regularly stratified, for they frequently alternate with strata of granular marble, but the strata divide into thin Lamellae which gives a shatterd [shattered] & shivery appearance to their declivities. Mountains of argillaceous Slate participate of these external characters, but are much more favorable to vegetation.
It is necessary to remark that the term Mountain is not used here in its most limited sense.
The study of the characteristical forms of Mountains in relation to the strata which they contain is usefull [useful] moreover to the Navigator as well as the Geologist by pointing out those situations where he is most likely to find water.
Calcareous Mountains for instance are remarkable for the paucity of their Springs & for the saline nature of them, but Mountains of Greiss [Gneiss] Micaceous Slate & Argillaceous Slate abound at every stage of their elevation in sources of the purest water,