Northern and Central TurTcey. 63 



han), and resemble some similar rocks associated with the co- 

 ralline upper tertiary limestone of Transylvania. 



The occurrence of these marine remains at such a height is 

 a peculiar fact in Turkish geology; and future observers 

 should make a point of ascertaining whether the trachytes are 

 not the cause of such an uncommon elevation of tertiary rocks. 

 In the valley below Karatova I observed a reddish trachytic 

 tufa, or aggregation of fragments of trachyte, resting on the 

 talcose ferruginous slate. Between Karatova and the monas- 

 tery of Dveotatz, we found similar rocks, in which we observed 

 the globular decomposition of the trachytic conglomei-ate. 

 The convent itself is surrounded by small hills, the last of the 

 trachytic group, and, as in Hungary, among these is found a 

 very fine porphyritic millstone or buhrstone {porphyremolaire). 

 This rock is merely a fine trachytic conglomerate, much indu- 

 rated by infiltration of siliceous matter. Vast quarries show 

 the extent to which this useful material is exported. 



This trachytic group also contains other rocks, viz. doleritic 

 basaltic hills surrounded by tertiary sands and sandstones ; 

 neai- Nagoritsch there occur at least three or four such hills, 

 with steep acclivities, and of inconsiderable elevation. 



Another trachyte group fills up the higher part of the Egri- 

 dere valley, between a place two leagues east of Egri-Palanka, 

 and a valley three leagues east of Kostendil. This large chain, 

 which is covered with woods and meadows, extends also north 

 and south. To the west it contains talc-slate with mica-slate, 

 and to the east gneiss with granitic rocks. A hill elevated at least 

 1500 feet above the vaUey through which the road from Egri- 

 Palanka to Kostendil passes, is formed of a decomposed 

 yellowish-grey trachyte with quartz ; and the sides of the hills 

 consist chiefly of trachytic conglomerate, which occasionally 

 covers the trachyte as well as the talc-slate. These conglome- 

 rates alternate with rocks resembling tertiary marl, even with 

 molasse, and a conglomerate composed of slaty fragments; 

 thus showing the height attained by the tertiary waters, which, 

 had it not been for these trachytic eruptions, and those of 

 Strazin, would have extended in a direct line from the Kosten- 

 dil basin to that of Uskub. I may remark, however, that I 

 only observed alluvial matter in the Strazin basin, and that, 



