Reviews — Sulphur -mines in Sicily. 323 



Inferior Oolite Brachiopoda", by Messrs. L. Richardson and C. Upton ; 

 an account of "A Swallow-hole in the Inferior Oolite near 

 Cheltenham", by Mr. Eichardson ; notes on "The Distribution of 

 Calluna on the Cotteswolds ", by Mr. H. H. Knight, who describes the 

 relations of the heather to the soils and substrata ; notes by Mr. Upton 

 "On the abundant occurrence of Involutina liassica (Jones) in the 

 Lower Lias at Gloucester " — here we miss a reference to the paper on 

 this subject by H. B. Brady (Geol. Mag., 1864, p. 193); a paper, 

 with one plate, " On the Stratigraphical and Geological Distribution 

 of the Inferior Oolite Echinoids of the West of England (Supplement)," 

 by Messrs. Kichardson and E. T. Paris ; and a description of some 

 " Well-Sinkings on Lansdown, Bath", by the Rev. H. H. Winwood, 

 who refers to the attenuation of the Great Oolite, as indicated by 

 the presence of Eorest Marble. Particulars of that formation would 

 be of interest, as it is not shown on the Geological Survey Map. 

 Mr. Poland Austin has compiled a useful Index to the Proceedings 

 of the Club (1846-1912). This replaces Mr. Richardson's Index 

 of 1904. 



XIII. — Lavoeaxione Rationale deile Solfake Virdilio eMintinella. 

 Monografia Technico-Economica. (A technical and economic 

 Report upon the Sulphur-mines of Virdilio and Mintinella 

 in Sicily: by Emmantjele Cimono, Engineer.) 4to ; pp.152, 

 with 2 coloured plates. Palermo ; Libreria Internazionale 

 A. Reber, 1912. 



ALONGSIDE the road between Naro and Campobello di Licata 

 (Sicily) are the rich sulphur-mines of Virdilio and Mintinella, 

 which form the subject of the elaborate and detailed monograph now 

 before us. The object of this work is to present a rational scheme 

 for the working of the sulphur, and the author hopes that it will be 

 of permanent value, both scientific and economical. In configuration 

 the sulphur-bearing basin has the shape of a wide horseshoe. The 

 first part of this work is devoted to descriptive geological notes, in 

 which the succession of the beds and mode of occurrence of the 

 sulphur are described. The resemblance between the beds of Virdilio 

 and Mintinella and those of other Sicilian localities is also discussed. 



Engineering reports connected with the difl6.culties encountered in 

 working the deposits are contained in the second part, in which also 

 are incorporated the opinions of various authorities on the causes that 

 conduce to vibration and rock-fracture, and suggestions as to 

 precautions that might be taken against catastrophes resulting 

 therefrom. Two schemes for working the mines are considered in 

 detail : one for carrying on operations above ground, and another for 

 underground working. The relative cost of either is discussed, and 

 full calculations as to the amount of overlying material, of transport, 

 excavation, banking, etc., have been included. Statistical tables and 

 full details connected with the exploitation of the sulphur are con- 

 tained in the last three parts of this monograph, which is illustrated 

 by two good coloured plates of sections and plans. 



