Observations on the Geugvtosiic Characler of' Italy. 89 



coast, opposite to the primitive rocks of Elba. In the States of 

 the Church, the existence of more or less decided transition rocks 

 are first noticed in Brocchi's Catalogo Racionato, in the vicinity 

 of Ronciglione ; also between the hills of Cimini and Monte 

 Fiascoiie, near Viterbo, between Civita Vecchia and la Tolfa ; 

 and, lastly, from the subinsular rocks of the Capo Circelo to 

 Teracina. On the neighbouring Ponza isles, the existence of 

 transition limestone has also been lately demonstrated.* But on 

 the opposite or Adriatic side of the central range, these remains 

 of older formations are entirely wanting. We must, therefore, 

 view the Appenine chain, as, indeed, all the mountain chains on 

 the surface of the globe, according to the general views of Leopold 

 Von Buch, as raised from rents in the crust of the earth, and 

 even perhaps, on account of the geognostic constitution, as the 

 gaping margins of such gigantic fissures themselves. It is there- 

 fore clear, that the raising cause must here lie much nearer the sur- 

 face on the western than on the eastern side of the central 

 chain. This idea of the mode of formation is certainly con- 

 firmed by what all have observed, the unequally steep declivity 

 of the Appenines on their S. W. side. Further, the reason fol- 

 lows immediately from this, for the breaking out of the nume- 

 rous volcanoes of this country, only in the space between the 

 mountains and the Mediterranean, never on the opposite side. 

 In the latter situation, the enormous pressure of the Appenine 

 limestones on the fundamental rocks ; but in the other, free from 

 this cover, they can more easily give vent to the subterranean ex- 

 pansive powers. But before proceeding to the special examination 

 of these relations, it will be necessary to view these points a little 

 closer. 



The space which lies between the lofty secondary ridge and 

 the sea-coast, is, on both sides of the Appenines, much broken, 

 and covered by extensive masses of a sandstone and marl, of very 

 new formation. The immense masses of marine remains of well 

 preserved shells, which, in many cases, have scarcely lost their 

 colour and animal matter, of large celacea>, &c., which exist 

 in this extensive formation, have already, in many places, at- 

 tracted the attention of naturalists. Brocchi was the first to 



" At Capo Negro on .Jannone. Compare (ieological Trans. Second Series. 

 Vol. II. Part II. p. 220, PlaU- xxv. Tig. (i. 



