THE MALTESE FOSSIL ELEPHANTS. 3 



sixth volurae of these Transactions. There were, besides, reptilian remains, which have 

 not yet been described. 



The Middle Caye (No. 5) was discovered by me in 1862. It was a horizontal tunnel 

 without any roof-communication, and opened on the same terrace, and was within a few 

 yards distance of the Malak Cave. The parent rock was the Lower Limestone. The 

 cave was packed to the roof with about sixteen feet of red soU, showing distinct bands 

 of stratification and a gradual process of filling up. At various horizons (evidently 

 different cave-levels) I found remains of Myoxus melitensis in conjunction -ndth teeth 

 and bones of an Arvicola not apparently distinct from the Bank-Vole, besides bones of 

 large birds, small frogs, and recent land-shells, the last absolutely identical with species 

 now living on the islands. 



The Mnaidea Gap (No. 6) was discovered by me in 186". It was a large opening in 

 the Lower Limestone, within a few yards, and only a few feet above the level, of the 

 Middle Cave. It was filled to the top with red earth and. blue clay intermixed with 

 masses of the calcareous sandstone, more or less rounded and waterwom, with a super- 

 ficial drift of a calcareous red earth. From top to bottom, but chiefly in the deeper 

 parts among the stones, were discovered portions (indeed, apparently entire skeletons) of 

 Elephants, in conjunction with enormous quantities of the bones oi Myoxus melitensis 

 and of large aquatic birds, including the Cygnus faJconeri of Parker, also fragments of 

 Chelonians', with recent land-shells belonging to Helix, Clausilia, and Bulimus. 



Among the surface-deposits of the Malak Fault (No. 7) I discovered in 1863 

 remains of the largest form of Elephant, including a much mutilated skull with penul- 

 timate true molars. The upper limestone of this depressed portion of the coast-line 

 is covered by a surface-deposit many feet in thickness, composed of fragments of the 

 parent and other rocks mingled mth red soil, and indicating water-action, as if the 

 scourings of the surface had been washed " pell-mell " over the cliff on which the Malak, 

 Middle, and Mnaidra remains were deposited, and formed a talus now nearly eaten 

 away by the waves. 



The Gap of Benghisa (No. 8) was found by me in 1864. It is situated in the cal- 

 careous sandstone and is almost level with the sea. It is a triangular-shaped hollow 

 about thirty-two feet in height, fiicing the sea, which is rapidly disintegrating its contents. 

 Here, among blocks of the parent rock and red soU alternating with bands of pebbles 

 and fine red loam, lay remains of Elephants, but more especially of the smallest 

 form, which seems to have greatly predominated. The geological conditions here are 

 eminently suggestive of the aqueous forces that hurried the exuvite into the gap. The 

 bones and teeth of the Myoxus, and bones of a large fresh-water Tortoise, and a small 

 Lizard were also discovered, besides recent land-shells of species now residing on the 

 island. 



The Leonardo Fissuke (No. 9) was discovered by me in 1864. It existed in the 



' I have described these remains in Quart. Joum. Geol. Soc. vol. sxii. p. 594. 



b2 



