OF SEVERAL PARTS OF WESTERN ASIA. 383 



We leani from Dr. Buckland, in his Anniversary Address 

 before the London Geological Society in 1841, that most of the 

 island of Rhodes is composed of chalk, rising in mount Atairo, 

 to the height of four thousand feet. The chalk is partially cov- 

 ered by tertiary strata, from which Mr. Van Lennep's specimens 

 were doubtless obtained. 



In passing to the Asiatic continent, the region around Smyrna 

 is the first to wdiich I would direct the attention. This region 

 has been described, I presume, with minuteness and accuracy by 

 Messrs. Hamilton and Strickland, before the London Geological 

 Society : but I have not access to their papers, or even to an 

 abstract of them, and, therefore, I have thought it best to state the 

 few facts within my possession ; thinking it possible that some 

 of them, obtained through Rev. H. J. Van Lennep, who is a 

 native of Smyrna, may not be embraced in those papers. 



" The country for some distance around Smyrna," says Mr. Van 

 Lennep, " may be described, geologically, under three jirincipal divis- 

 ions. The first embraces the wide alluvial plains, ^vhich contain the 

 rivers, and whose soil, exceedingly rich, is planted with grain or vine- 

 yards, and studded with villages, peeping at intervals through the 

 thick olive and cypress groves. These plains extend in some direc- 

 tions eight or nine hours ; but in others they are narrow along the 

 seashore, and are shut in by mountains. The second division embra- 

 ces various formations of stratified rocks, mostly limestone. These 

 usually rise into hills, or mountains, generally very abrupt. One 

 region is but a collection of high hills, sharply pointed at the top, and 

 inclining to conical, as far as their chain-like form allows. The veg- 

 etation is quite rich on these elevations, and the olive grows wild 

 there. The third division is volcanic, embracing many interesting 

 rocks. A short distance from the city stands an old crater, which 

 some have thought may have been active within historic times, 

 though not mentioned by any author. I am more inclined to believe 

 it one of the many which were in action before the existence of our 

 race, and which contributed to give the earth's surface its present 

 shape. Another fact has still more attracted my attention. The 

 city rests in part upon a rock strongly resembling porphyritic green- 

 stone, but distinctly stratified. In one spot I found the layers radiat- 

 ing from one point, and gradually assuming the general direction. 



