CHRONO-GEOLOGICAL EANGE OF OPHITES. 97 



Scotland, and which, according to Prof. Judd, took place during 

 an early Tertiary period. 



In Eastern Europe serpentine masses are common in associa- 

 tion with Upper Secondary formations. The euphotides and 

 other igneous rocks of Central Italy, there can be no doubt, have 

 broken through Cretaceous ' ' alberese }} limestone and Eocene 

 sandstones and schists during a late Tertiary period, thereby 

 producing the beautiful ophicalcite (oficalce), ophieuphotide, 

 and gabbro verde for which Liguria is so renowned. 



It would even appear, from the discoveries of Achiardi, that 

 the methylosis of rocks into serpentine is in process of elabora- 

 tion at the present day in Tuscany. That the same process is 

 still in operation amongst deep-seated rocks permeated by heated 

 mineral waters, may be inferred with perfect confidence. 



