The New Student's Reference Work/Auvergne

Auvergne (ō′vârn′y’), a branch of the Cevennes Mountains. The mountains lie in confused groups, sending up several summits to the height of 6,000 feet. Not only do the cone and domelike shapes of the summits betray a volcanic formation, but the great masses of peculiar rock that break through the crust of granite and gneiss render it evident that this was a great focus of volcanic action at a comparatively recent period. Among the summits that have apparently been at one time volcanoes, the most remarkable are Cantal, Mont-Dore and Puy-de-Dôme. All are now covered with verdure. There are rich deposits of iron, lead and other ores in the region, which was once an ancient province and today is a department of France.