230 Sinvej/ of the Persian Gulj'. 



of black basalt and clinkstone, with calcareous spar in veins. 

 Some occurrences of the columniated basalt were observed, 

 but the general arrangement was in the form of mountain 

 caps, as they are termed by mineralogists. Several of the 

 small valleys were in a high state of cultivation ; the soil being 

 formed from the debris of the basalt, which is well known to 

 afford one of the richest composts for vegetation. The in- 

 habitants appeared a mixed race between the Bedouins and 

 Muscat Arabs. The mountainous pai't of the coast terminates 

 at Raumps, between which and the harbour of Abothubbe, 

 are situated the pirate ports. F'rom the last-mentioned place, 

 to the westward, comprising 200 miles in longitude, and 150 

 in latitude, the coast had hitherto never been explored by 

 Europeans. Here were discovered numerous islands ; be- 

 tween a long chain of which, connected by extensive reefs, 

 and the main, is an inlet, forty miles deep, navigable for the 

 largest vessels, and sheltered from the prevailing heavy winds. 

 The main land is formed in some parts of low sandy ground, 

 and in others of hills, which are evidently of volcanic origin. 

 The islands discovered by Capt. Maude have been surveyed, 

 and distinct plans made of each ; stronger marks are here 

 evinced of volcanic influence ; sulphur and its combinations 

 are found in all ; the hills are conical, and contain volcanic 

 scoriae, intermixed with argillaceous earth ; gypsum, in most 

 of its varieties ; a recent formation of trap ; most of the ores 

 of iron, and obsidian. In all parts of the gulf, particularly 

 on the Persian shore, traces of a similar nature are found 

 sufficient to denote its being what geologists would term a 

 volcanic country, and which will readily account for the late 

 earthquake in that quartei'. The survey in June last termi- 

 nated at the interesting island of Bahrein ; the topography 

 of which is unknown, with the exception of a small part in 

 the vicinity of the citj'. The whole line of coast Avas laid down 

 by a continued series of triangles, and the principal positions 

 were verified by celestial observations; between the two ex- 

 tremes it forms an irregular curve, comprising, with the 

 various sinuosities, upwards of a thousand miles. The space 

 between Bahrein and the mouth of the Euphrates will be 

 completed by the close of the next cool season, unless any 

 extraordinary difficulties should present themselves. — Bombay 

 Gazette, Sept. 22, 1824. 



M. VAUQUELIN ON THE PR1^,SENCE OF TITANIUM IN MICA. 



We extract from the Annals of Philosophy for March 1825, 

 the following notice by M. Vauquelin, on this subject, which 



fave rise to the memoir by M. Peschier, given in our present 

 Jiimber, with a note appended to it by Mr. Children. 



" M. Vauquelin, 



