487 



though in less abundance, with Producta and Calamites ; and in the 

 lower, crinoidal remains and corals of the genus Calamopora. 



The authorthen describes the subjacent sandstone ; the phenomena 

 which accompany the streams engulfed by the mountain limestone, 

 and the fossils he procured from that formation; and lastly, he details 

 the characters of a bed of shale which occurs at the bottom of the 

 limestone system, and abounds with fossils, some of which are stated 

 to be peculiar to it. 



A paper " on the Osseous Cave of Santo Ciro, about two miles to 

 the S.E. of Palermo," by Samuel Peace Pratt, Esq., F.G.S., F.L.S., 

 was then read *. 



The author first describes the circumstances which led to the 

 discovery of the bones, and then the position of the cave and the 

 phenomena it presents. He states that it is situated rather more 

 than a mile from the sea, in a projecting hill, forming part of the 

 ridge of secondary limestone, which nearly traverses the northern 

 portion of Sicily, and about 50 feet above the foot of the promontory. 

 A gently inclined plain extends from the base of the ridge to the 

 shore, and is composed of nearly horizontal strata of limestone and 

 sand, containing shells analogous to those now inhabiting the Me- 

 diterranean. When discovered, the cave was filled to the level of 

 the entrance with bones, more or less rolled, and in different states 

 of decay, but cemented together by carbonate of lime. Associated 

 with them, though in much less quantity, were pebbles and fragments 

 of limestone. The bones which have been found, belong principally 

 to the Hippopotamus; but tusks and teeth of the Elephant, as well 

 as teeth of a large carnivorous animal, have been discovered. An 

 osseous breccia extends around the mouth of the cave to the distance 

 of many yards but differs from that within, in the greater abundance 

 of fragments of limestone and pebbles, and in the bones having 

 undergone greater attrition. The cave has been excavated to the 

 depth of 20 feet, and its irregular sides appear to have been worn by 

 water into polished hollows, perforated by the Lithodomus. Marks 

 of the action of water, though to less extent, are visible much higher 

 than the mouth of the cave, but the labours of the Lithodomus appear 

 to have been confined to the surface below its level. The bottom of 

 the cave was found to be covered with comminuted shells mixed 

 with numerous well preserved specimens. Four other caves are 

 mentioned as occurring at higher levels in the face of the hill. No 

 bones havebeen discovered in them, though they bear the same proofs 

 of the action of water, and their walls are perforated in the same 

 manner. In conclusion, the author infers, from the evidence presented 

 by the caves, and the known habits of the Lithodomus, that this part 

 of the coast of Sicily was successively elevated to its present level, 

 subsequently to the Mediterranean being inhabited by the existing 

 species of Testacea, and he speculates on the changes which may 



* When the author of this paper made his observations, he was not 

 aware of the Memoir on Sicily by Dr. Turnbull Christie, read before the 

 Society in November 1831. See p. 333. 



