Baza and Alkama. 71 



«ontal strata alternate with others of coral hmestone, ascends 

 the rising ground upon which the large and populous \illageof 

 Alhama is situated. Such are the appearances presented in tra- 

 versing this basin along the line of road from Granada to Alha- 

 ma, a distance of about 30 miles from NE. to SW. 



2. Neighbourhood of Alhama^ 



Alhama stands upon the left bank of a rivulet of the same 

 name, and at the bottom of a long cultivated slope to the latter, 

 from the ridge of secondary nummulite limestone which forms the 

 southern boundary of this portion of the basin. The horse-road 

 from Granada to Malaga by Alhama passes over this ridge, be- 

 tween which and the coast it subsequently traverses the prima- 

 ry and transition chain stated to border the Mediterranean, 

 reaching the latter near a town called Velez-Malaga. Conse- 

 quently, in proceeding from Velez-Malaga to Alhama, the road 

 descends the cultivated slope last alluded to, and in the latter 

 part of the descent, a limestone composed of a congeries of coral 

 remains is observed occasionally to make its appearance in broken 

 discontinuous escarpments, partially covered, and often nearly 

 surrounded by fine diluvium, which in great depth constitutes 

 the general upper stratum and vegetable soil. Immediately be- 

 fore entering Alhama by this road, a similar limestone is again 

 observed in thick horizontal strata, and, in different open spaces 

 within the precincts of the village, horizontal strata of calcareous 

 sandstone and fine conglomerates may be seen. The latter beds 

 constitute, indeed, the foundation upon which it has been built, 

 and immediately below the village form the high escarped banks 

 which confine the stream bearing its name. Similar strata were 

 noticed on the opposite bank, in the last part of the descent to 

 the same stream in approaching Alhama by the Granada road, 

 as well as in the short subsequent ascent to the former, alterna- 

 ting, in the latter instance, with others of coral limestone. This 

 marine formation, first observable on the line of road sketched 

 in the immediate vicinity of Alhama, rests upon secondary num- 

 muhte jimestone, which fortunately comes to day in a few in- 

 stances in this neighbourhood, and establishes this interesting 

 fact. 



An inspection of the physical appearances presented by this 



