142 Lieut. Baddeley on the gceognosy 
the dip of which is to the westward. Between the horizontal 
limestone, which lays over the basset edges of these rocks, 
and the black limestone, a sort of calcareous sandstone is 
observed, of a light green colour possessing the compact- 
ness of fine grained grey wacke. We do not remember to 
which of the two rocks it is conformable, but believe it is to 
the uppermost ; its effervescence in acid is slight. J 
Mal-bay and its neighbourhood have long been remarkable , 
for the frequency of earthquakes ; it was not probable therefore 
that we should omit to make enquiries respecting them, con- 
nected as they are with the subject under examination. Through 
the politeness of Mr. and Mrs. M‘Nicol the following infor- 
mation was obiained. Shocks are -most frequent in January 
and February ; their direction appears to be northwest ; the 
duration of the movement is about one minute, and notice of 
the coming motion is generally given by a noise like a chimney 
on fire, sometimes. accompanied by two distinct blows, ‘The 
weather is sometimes sultry, previously at others, cold ; in the 
former case, the weather becomes cold after the shock, and in 
the latter, mild: in short, it is always accompanied by a 
change of weather. They occur about nine or ten times a 
year, and are more generally observed in the night than in 
the day. When they happen in foggy weather it clears up sub- 
sequently. About thirty-six years ago shocks were much 
more violent. Dr. Fraser of Malbay, to whom this account 
was shown, agrees generally with it, but thinks the number of 
shocks annua}ly underrated. 
Mal-Bay or, Murray Bay, as the inhabitants prefer calling 
it, enters deep into the north shore, and the greater proportion 
becomes dry at low water. ‘The land which encloses the bay 
is rather elevated and rocky, but between it and the high 
water-mark on the western side, there is a flat or gently un- 
duiated alluvial soil, The character of most of this is sandy, 
but that on which Mr. McNicol’s farm is situated is of a 
superior dese“iption, composed of clay, sand, and probably lime 
derived 
