7 



ernmost of the group, is nearly 17 miles long; 

 and its greatest breadth measured transversely to 

 the axis, is nearly 9 miles. Gozo, the northernmost 

 island is nearly nine miles long, and its greatest 

 transverse breadth is a little more than 5 miles." 

 ' The mineral deposits of which these islands 

 consist are all stratified and disposed in parallel 

 layers. They seldom deviate much from the horizontal 

 position, but the prevailing dip, which is very gentle, 

 varies from N. E. -to E. by N. and consequently 

 the prevailing strike of the deposits coincides nearly 

 in direction with the axis of the chain. " 



The Apennines and the Sicilian chains have 

 the same inclination rendering it probable that all 

 were upheaved ab the same time. The rocks blend 

 into one another so gradually that it is sometimes 

 not easy to say where limestone ends and sandstone 

 commences. 



" None of the deposits are wholly devoid of 

 organic remains and some of the softer strata con- 

 tain them in great abundance, and in a state of 

 excellent preservation. Many of these fossils are 

 characteristic of certain strata, and all are of marine 

 origin." 



From the discovery of the remains of amphibious 

 animals such as the dugong, manatee, seals, and 

 crocodilians, together with corals and corallines it 

 is thought that the rocks of Malta were formed 

 at no great distance from land. 



