329 
A natural breakwater of calcareous sandstone at Jaffa 
projects outwards into the Mediterranean from the ancient 
walls at the south end of the town, outside this all large ships 
are obliged to anchor, the landing from which is effected in 
shore boats, which frequently have to breast a heavy surf, the 
rock under the lens is seen to consist of comminuted shells, pieccs 
of coral and other marine forms, apparently of recent formation, 
raised when the whole sea-bed was being elevated.* A similar 
formation appears to be still in process of consolidation, along 
the shore farther north as I noticed at Haifa, (near Acre), it is 
quarried just under the sands at the margin of low-water, the 
shells of which it is composed are those which strew the shore in 
immense numbers, and are chiefly those of pectanculus glycineris. 
The evidence of these raised beaches is incontestable, they have 
been recognised by Drs Hedenborg and Lartet, who attribute 
their position when at or near sea-level to the recent slow eleva- 
tion of the sea-bed which may be still in progress. 
Mons Lartet says: Page 227, ‘‘ Essais sur la Geologie de Palestine,” We have 
seen that on the Mediterranean Coasts of Egypt maritime deposits are found 
filled with actual shells. It is the same on the coasts of Phenicia, and the Plain 
of Sharon presents the aspect of a raised beach. The hills of reddish sands that 
prevail at Jaffa where gardens are planted as well as orange groves are covered 
with numerous shells, Pectunculus violacescens murex brandaris Columbella 
rustica Purpura hemastoma—identical with those we meet with on the coast, and 
this formation extends far in the interior, into the environs of Ramleh. Beyrout 
is built on a coarse limestone, filled with shells, Capulus Cerithiwm Trochus, &c., 
which assume in some places a pisolithic structure as those at Alexandria, &c. 
* * * * * * Sd * 
Such are the maritime deposits of the coasts that appear more recent than 
the Tertiary deposits—older than of the historic period, and we believe should 
be classed as Quaternary. 
Sir John W. Dawson in his popular work on “ Egypt and 
Syria,” describes the rocks on which Jaffa stands as extending 
under the whole maritime plains as a soft sandstone, traversed 
with vermicular-cylindrical holes, perhaps the work of marine 
worms, &c. 
* Owing to the kindness of Prof. S. Hayter Lewis, F.S.A., I am able to show 
a piece of this rock, broken off by himself, and the sides polished, the top 
being purposely left rough to show the formation. 
