Scientific Intelligence. — Geology. 191 



bold, and consists of basaltic rock. Neare the Riviere de Galets, l>e- 

 tween Savanna and the Baie du Cap, the sea foams aji^ainst a barrier 

 of coral from five to fifteen feet in height, and wears it into the most 

 fantastic shapes. At a considerable distance inland, and almost con- 

 cealed by trees and shrubs, are two remarkable points or b.eadlands of 

 coral, from twenty to twenty-five feet abpve the present level of the 

 sea. They present the same marks of abrasion as the bamer reef now- 

 undergoing the action of the waves. The observatory. Port Louis, is 

 built also on a stratum, ten feet above high water-mark, of very hard 

 coral, which requires blasting. There are, besides, in several parts of 

 the island, and at considerable distances inland, enormous blocks of coral, 

 surrounded with the debris of oyster and other shells and broken corals. 

 Appended to Captain Lloyd's communication are .two letters from 

 agents appointed by him to collect information respecting inland blocks 

 of coral. One of the letters is from Mr Hill, surveyor of roads, and 

 contains the following data respecting two blocks near Souillac :— 



Distance from the sea, 



Probable height above high water, 



Length, 



Breadth, 



Height, ..... 

 Girth round the largest projections, 



If the first of these blocks had been transported by the sea. Captain 

 Lloyd says, it would have attained its present position only by passing 

 over the almost perpendicular coast. 



The other letter is from Mr Sherlock, and gives the following mea- 

 surements of two blocks on the Black River: — 



Height. Width. Circumference. Distance from the Sea. 



1st Block, 13 feet. 30 to 40 feet. 121 feet. 250 feet. 



2d Block, 10 ... 25 ... Length, 41 feet. 840 ... 



Mr Sherlock adds, there is no coral in the interior, except a small bed 

 on the habitation Le Gentele. 



6. Kloden on the Sinkinrj of the Dalmatian Coast. — Kloden has 

 collected a number of observations by new and old authors, which 

 prove in the most decisive manner that the coast of Dalmatia is con- 

 stantly sinking towards the Mediterranean Sea. He places this in 

 connection with the elevation of the Scandinavian coast ; but, instead 

 of regarding it as a general consequence of the gradually progressing 

 contraction of the earth's crust, he connects it with a great and ex- 

 tended volcanic action, of which so many traces present themselves 

 from the Greek Archipelago to Vesuvius and Etna. We must recoK 



