116 Scientific Intelligence. — Geology. 



the end of the last century, at the period when Olivier visited 

 Santorin, the fishermen of the island asserted that the bottom of 

 the sea had recently risen considerably between the island of 

 Liittle Ka'imeni and the Port of Thera ; in fact the soundings 

 did not give a greater depth than fifteen to twenty fathoms, 

 "where formerly the bottom could not be reached. When Co- 

 lonel Bory and the author visited the island in 1829, they were 

 able not only to confirm the truth of Olivier's statement, but 

 also to ascertain, by various soundings, that the rise of the sub- 

 marine land had continued, and that at the point indicated the 

 depth was not more than four fathoms and a-half. In 1830 

 the same observers made new soundings, which enabled them 

 to determine the form and extent of the mass of rock, which in 

 less than a year had been elevated half a fathom. It was found 

 to extend 800 metres from east to west, and 500 from north to 

 south. The submarine surface augmented gradually to the 

 north and west, from four to twenty-nine fathoms, while to the 

 east and south this augmentation amounted to forty-five fa- 

 thoms. Beyond this limit the soundings indicated in all direc- 

 tion^ a very great depth. I have lately been informed that Ad- 

 miral Lalande, who, since 1830, has twice returned to Santorin, 

 ascertained that the rock still continues to rise ; and that, in 

 September 1835, the date of his last visit, the depth of water 

 amounted to only two fathoms, so that a sunken reef now exists 

 which it is dangerous for brigs to approach. If the rock conti- 

 nues to rise at the same rate, it may be calculated that, in 1840, 

 it will form a new island, without, however, those catastrophes 

 which this phenomenon seems to presage for the gulf of Santo- 

 rin, being a necessary consequence of the epoch of its appearance 

 at the surface of the water. Since the eruptions of 1707 and 

 1712, which produced the new Kaimeni, volcanic phenomena 

 have completely ceased in the gulf of Santorin, and the volcano 

 seems at the present day quite extinct. Nevertheless, the rise 

 of a portion of its surface seems to demonstrate continual efforts 

 to make an eruption during fifty years; and that, whenever 

 the resistance shall not be strong enough to offer a sufficient ob- 

 stacle, the volcano will again resume its activity." 



7. Remains of Quadrupeds in the Oolitic System of Rocks. — 

 Hitherto the only fossil remains of the mammalia known to na- 



