The upper stratum of the rock is soft and warm, presenting almost the appearance of mud thickened with sand and small stones.

Every footstep leaves a trace behind it, and the visitor has continually before his eyes the fear of breaking through, and falling into a hot spring hidden from view by a thin covering.

The good pastor walked in advance of me, with a stick, and probed the dangerous surface as much as possible.

I was loath to stay behind, and suddenly we found ourselves at the summit of the rock.

Here we could take in, at one view, the sixteen springs gushing from both its sides.