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Malta is divided into two parts by a great 

 " fault " or break in the continuity of the strata, 

 due to either depression or upheaval. This fault 

 " cuts the island transversely to the axis of the 

 chain, and to tho N. W. lets down the strata about 

 300 feet. Gozo also is divided, a little way in- 

 land from the strait which separates it from Malta 

 by a fault running also transversely to the axis of 

 the chain, and producing to the S. E. nearly the 

 same amount of depression in the strata which is 

 occasioned in the opposite direction by the fault 

 of Malta. The joint effect of these two disturb- 

 ances is to let down the deposits in the space 

 between the two faults to the depth above-men- 

 tioned, that being about half the height above the 

 sea-level of the most elevated points in each of the 

 two islands." 



A rising ground near Casal Dingli 750 feet 

 above sea-level, and the hill of Bisbiegi with an 

 altitude of 743 feet are the two highest points in 

 Malta and Gozo. "In the sunken tract lie the 

 straits of Frieghi which separate Malta from Gozo, 

 and midway between the two principal islands, the 

 small island of Comiao." The fault of Malta is 

 clearly visible in the Bay of Fom-e-Bieh (mouth 

 of the wind) on the S. W. shore of the island, 

 from whence it passess below the Bengemma Hills, 

 crosses the plain of Nasciar, and reaching the north- 



