observed on the Rocks on the Shores of Gteece. 337 



When the shore is composed of breccias, or of puddingstones 

 cemented with ferruginous matter, the groove acqviires a o-reat 

 depth, as at the foot of the Palamede de Napoli ; the tide dis- 

 integrates and undermines to a great depth, and penetrates un- 

 derneatl), even to a distance of eight or ten yards from the shore. 

 Thence there results very extensive fissures parallel to the sea, 

 and outlets through which the tide, after having broken itself 

 under your feet, escapes mjets d'emi. 



(Figs. 2 and 3.) Perpendicular shores present some peculiar 

 circumstances in this zone. I shall take for example Cap-Gros, 

 the most remarkable place of this nature that I have had occa- 

 sion to observe. Its desci'iption belongs to the physical geogra- 

 phy of the INIorea ; it will be sufficient to state here, that it is a 

 rock of grey marble, a league long, 200 yards high, and cut per- 

 pendicularly on the sea side and on the land side, and truncated 

 besides at its summit by a nearly horizontal plane. It is very sel- 

 dom that it can be approached without danger. The meetino- of 

 contrary winds in the gulfs of Messina and Laconia, excite violent 

 tempests there, and rapid currents sweep along their banks, where, 

 in case of shipwreck, there could be no hope of safely. If we add 

 to these causes of fear, the continual noise which the waters of 

 the sea make by engulfing themselves into the numerous caverns 

 which open at the foot of the rocks, a noise that can be com- 

 pared only to the distant rolhng of thunder or artillery, we 

 shall be disposed to beheve, that Cape-Tenares, which borders 

 on it, has usurped to itself the terrible reputation of the former*. 

 In a first voyage I was obliged to shear off, and could only re- 

 cognise the existence of this line of caverns and cavities which 

 prevails at the level of the tide, and in which the sea then roar- 

 ed in a terrific manner. Afterwards, in the month of June a 

 perfect calm permitted me to follow the foot of this enormous 

 mass, and to penetrate into the interior of one of those caverns 

 inhabited by pigeons as in the time of Homer, (Messa abound- 

 ing with pigeons). 



I observed here a submarine step or ledge, which in this place 



• This succession of groanings or murmurings which issue from the interi- 

 or of the caverns of Capc-Gros, is undoubtedly that which the ancients meant 

 to express by the barking of the many heads of Cerberus, 



