24 Chi certain Newer Deposits in Sicily, 



the limestone beds containing shells of existing species, for we 

 find these beds at Santo Giro below the bone-breccia, and at 

 Syracuse they actually form the cliiTs in which the caves are si- 

 tuated. Not only, however, were these caves long under the 

 sea, but they continued so for a great length of time after the 

 bone-breccia had been deposited in them, of which we have am- 

 ple evidence, both in the cave of Santo Giro and in those of Sy- 

 racuse. In the former vve find distinct traces of stratification 

 in the breccia ; and above it is a thick bed of clay, containing a 

 few bones (PI. T. 3.), which could only have been deposited in 

 tranquil water ; in the breccia of the latter we have still more 

 positive proof, for in it we find sea-shells, and its surface has 

 been worn down by the waves, and has been perforated by ma^ 

 rine animals, and, since that period, these caverns have all been 

 raised up above the level of the sea, into their present position. 

 Thus we may divide their history into six distinct epochs ; first, 

 That of their formation, which probably took place from the en- 

 largement of fissures in the limestone rocks by the action of the 

 sea ; 2d, That in which they were occupied only by the sea, and 

 which is evinced by the holes of lithodomi left in the walls, far 

 below that part occupied by the deposit of bones ; 3d, That of 

 the great catastrophe by which the fractured bones and frag- 

 ments of rocks were washed into the caves, or accumulated at 

 their entrance ; 4th, That more tranquil period during which 

 the bed of clay (No. 3), at the cave of Santo Giro, was depositr 

 ed, and the breccia at Syracuse was perforated by marine ani^ 

 mals ; 5th, That of the great convulsion which heaved them up 

 above the level of the sea, at which time the great blocks 

 at the cave of Santo Giro and other similar deposits were form- 

 ed ; 6th, The present period extending from the last great con, 

 vulsion, which gave to this part of the world its actual form. 



I have hitherto intentionally omitted to say any thing of the 

 caves of Beliemi, which, it was formerly remarked, had no ap- 

 pearance of ever having been under the surface of the waves. 

 They therefore differ very materially from the others ; but they 

 are not without considerable interest, for, in connexion with that 

 of Santo Giro, they may afford us data for determining the 

 height attained by the former ocean, or to speak more correctly, 

 the number of feet the present coast has been elevated above its 



