Among those who took a very active part in this controversy was the poet Goethe, who stoutly maintained the volcanic origin of the Kammerbühl, styling it 'a pocket edition of a volcano.' To Goethe belongs the merit of having suggested a Very simple method by which the controversies concerning this hill might be set at rest: he proposed that a series of excavations should be undertaken around the hill, and a tunnel driven right under its centre. [Illustration: Fig. 33.--The Kammerbühl of Kammerberg, Bohemia. (As seen from the south-west)] [Sidenote: THE KAMMERBÜHL.] The poet's friend, Count Caspar von Sternberg, determined to put this project into execution. This series of excavations, which was completed in 1837, has for ever set at rest all doubts as to the volcanic origin of the Kammerbühl. A plug of basalt was found filling the centre of the mass, and connected with a small lava-stream flowing down the side of the hill; while the bulk of the hill was shown to be composed of volcanic scoriæ and lapilli. The section fig. 34 will illustrate the structure of the hill as revealed by these interesting excavations. [Illustration: Fig. 34.--Section of the Kammerbühl, in Bohemia. _a a._ Metamorphic rocks. _b._ Basaltic scoriæ. _c._ Solid plug of basalt rising through the centre of the volcanic pile, _d d._ Lava-stream composed of the same rock. _e e._ Alluvial matter surrounding the old volcano. (The dotted lines indicate the probable former outline of the volcano.)] [Sidenote: VOLCANOES DISSECTED BY DENUDATION.]