224 MIOCENE PERIOD. [Ch. XVI. 



in Sicily, before described, were shown to be contemporaneous 

 with newer Pliocene strata *. 



Auvergne Velay. We believe that part of the volcanic 

 eruptions of Auvergne took place during the Miocene period ; 

 those, for example, which cover, or are interstratified with the 

 alluviums mentioned in this chapter, and some of the ancient 

 basaltic cappings of hills in Auvergne, which repose on gravel 

 characterized by similar organic remains. A part also of the 

 igneous rocks of Velay belong to this epoch, but to these we 

 shall again refer when we treat more fully of the volcanic rocks 

 of Central France ; the older part of which are referrible to the 

 Eocene period. 



* Sedgwick and Murchison, Geol. Trans. Second Series, vol. iii. p. 400. 

 Daubeny, Extinct Volcanos, p. 92. 



