Early Observations of Volcanic Phenomena in Auvergne and Ireland

Abstract

MR. G. P. SCROPE (“Extinct Volcanos of Central France,” ed. 2, 1858, p. 30) describes how Guettard and Malesherbes, returning from Italy, met Faujas de St. Fond at Montélimar in 1751, and, in his company, founded the theory of the volcanic origin of the mountains in the Vivarais. Guettard and Malesherbes thence proceeded to Auvergne, where M. Ozy, a chemist of Clermont-Ferrand, acted as their guide. Ozy knew his ground well, and had already observed the general aspect of the rocks, since Guettard (Mém. Acad. roy. des Sciences, 1752, p. 37) says that he “m'assura … que je trouverois par-tout une même structure & les mêmes matières qu'il m'avoua ingénument n'avoir jamais reconnues pour ce qu'elles étoient.”