GEOLOGY OF THE COAST RANGE. 317 



similarly disposed in pyramids grouped symmetrically round the central cone. 

 These uplands, which do not exceed 1,000 feet in altitude, and which are indebted 

 for their imposing appearance to their abrupt walls falling precipitously down to 

 the Gulf of Suez, form the northern extremity of the granitic system. Farther 

 north, nothing occurs except limestone rocks or sand dunes. Both slopes of the 

 range are also overlaid with layers of more recent formation. On the east side 

 cretaceous taluses are found in many places resting on a granite foundation, and 



Fig. 96- — AssuAN : Ancient Quauhv, now abandoned. 



several of the headlands along the coast belong to these cretaceous formations. 

 Here also occur deposits of sulphur, as well as naphtha springs and beds of bitumen. 

 Basaltic eruptions occurred at some remote period in the Jebel range, and these 

 lavas are visible as far as the neighbourhood of Ismailia. 



Geology of the Coast Range. 



On the coast the prevailing rocks are sandstones and limestones of contemporary 

 formation, in which are embedded fossil shells and polyps. Some more recent 

 sandstones and limestones of like origin are entirely formed of these animal 

 remains. 



As on the Arabian seaboard, a gradual movement of upheaval has been observed 



