430 ON THE GEOLOGY OF THE 
the conclusions drawn from the examination of any other dis- 
trict that I am acquainted with. The observations which have 
within these few years been given to the world on the Paris 
basin, and on the similar country of Hampshire and the Isle 
of Wight, are extremely interesting, and in fact opened a new 
source of geological research ; but the phenomena, as present- 
ed in both these situations, are surrounded with so many diffi- 
culties, that as yet they can hardly be considered as grounds 
for the foundation of any general conclusion: In the vicinity 
of Nice, many similar phenomena occur; but they are accom- 
panied with indications which render the nature of their origin 
more evident, and consequently very greatly enhance their value. 
The Limestone of Nice consists of two kinds,which, for the 
sake of perspicuity, I shall call the jirst and second ; and I fear 
T shall be under the necessity of being contented, though not 
satisfied, with these appellations. For, although the distinction 
be so marked in the neighbourhood of Nice, as not to admit of 
any hesitation, yet I found, on leaving that district, when the 
second began to:predominate, it assumed so much the texture 
and appearance of the first, that I could not have known the 
difference. I thought I might have been able to avail myself 
of the terms calcaire compacte, calcaire caverneuse, or Jura- 
Limestone. Neither of the two first are correct, as limestones 
of very different formations are found equally compact, and 
equally remarkable from the caverns that occur in them; and 
with respect to the name Jura, as a distinctive geological term, 
I think it extremely unfit ; because, in: passing the range which 
bears that name, from Gex to Poligny, I noticed great variety in 
the composition of the limestone, of which its mountains are 
formed. On the south side, it very much resembled the first 
limestone of Nice, but contained more organic remains. Be- 
fore arriving at Poligny, it bore more the aspect of the lime- 
stone 
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