and the Phenomena accompaiiying their Elevation. 5 



tion of probably 100 feet higher than that which they have in 

 the plain. The connection of these facts with Ehe de Beau- 

 mont's theory shall be pointed out hereafter. 



I have little to say in regard to the new conglomerate in this 

 situation, owing to the circumstances already stated. It is found 

 in horizontal strata along the shore to the east of Palermo, and 

 probably in many other places in the neighbourhood, and is 

 composed of large rounded fragments of limestone, none of 

 which resemble the tertiary, and smaller fragments of quartz, 

 united by a base of lime. 



Bone Caves. — Three bone-caves have been already discovered 

 in the neighbourhood, one, the Grotto di Santo Giro, about two 

 miles south-east, and two in the mountain of Beliemi, about four 

 miles to the west of the town of Palermo. A description of 

 them was lately published by Professor Scina of Palermo ; but 

 as it may not be generally known, and, moreover, is imperfect 

 upon some points which are of great interest to the geologist, I 

 do not hesitate to offer a brief account of them from my own 

 observations, and beg leave, at the same time, to present a copy 

 of the Professor's memoir to the Society. 



The cave of Santo Giro is situated near the base of the niag- 

 nesiferous limestone mountain of Grifone, close upon the plain 

 of Palermo, about a mile and a quarter in a straight line from 

 the sea, and close to the small church of Santo Giro, from which 

 it has received its name. Its external opening is about 200 feet 

 above the level of the sea, and about 63 above the plain, to 

 which it is connected by a steep talus, partially cut away at its 

 base for the convenience of the high road which passes it ; and 

 some of its beds are thus fortunately exposed. The cavern 

 slopes upwards from its entrance to its remotest part. Its length 

 is about 131 feet, its width at the entrance about 10 feet, its 

 height at the same place about 50, its width in the middle 30, 

 which again contracts at its inner end to about 15 feet *. 



Before proceeding farther, I must remark that this bone de- 

 posite has more analogy to the bone-breccias that occur in various 

 parts along the shores of the Mediterranean, than to the cave- 

 bones of the more northern parts of Europe, which will be made 



• These dimensions are nearly the same as those given by Professor Scina, 

 but which I did not adopt until I- had verified them by actual measurement 



