TRANSLATIONS AND NOTICES 



OF 



GEOLOGICAL MEMOIUS. 



Newly formed Yolcanic Island in the Caspian Sea. 



[Extract from a Eeport published in the ' Russian Naval Review,' translated 

 by Lieut. Lutke, and communicated by Sir R. I. Murchison, V.P.G.S.] 



On the 8th of August last, the steamer ' Turky/ in going to Aster- 

 abad, stopped (in the middle of the Caspian) at a distance of several 

 fathoms from a newly formed island. We went to it in a boat and 

 landed. The length of it is 23 fathoms, the breadth 12 fathoms, the 

 height above the water 6 feet ; the average depth of the sea at the 

 distance of 5 to 6 fathoms off the island is also 6 feet. The ground is 

 so loose yet, that the swell of the sea sweeps it away. It is very dif- 

 ficult to walk on the island, as the feet sink into the ground. The 

 action of fire is to be observed all over the island. One may con- 

 clude that a short time ago it was yet in a liquid state ; for the strong- 

 smell of petroleum indicates plainly a volcanic origin, and petroleum 

 is to be seen on the stones mixed up with the earth, the whole having 

 cooled and being now comparatively hard. In passing on the lee 

 side of the island we also perceived the smell of petroleum. 



It appears that this newly formed islet lies upon a continuation of 

 the volcanic emanations which trend from the mud-eruptions near 

 Kertch to the fires of Bakou, and in a line towards Asterabad. 



On the Old Eed Sandstone o/Bokem'a. By M. Jokely. 

 [Proceed. Imp. Geol. Instit. Vienna, February 2j and March 12, 1861.] 

 Theee subdivisions may be distinguished in the Old Eed Sandstone 

 deposited along the southern or Bohemian margin of the Sudetian 

 Mountains*. They are, in ascending order, — A. Conglomerates, with 

 a few intercalated layers of shale and sandstones, passing upwards 

 into a deposit of shale 180 feet in thickness. This upper portion 

 includes beds of bituminous shale, filled with remains of Fishes and 

 Plants, together with local occurrences of black coal, argillaceous 

 ironstone and sphserosiderite, and (in a few cases) of traces of copper- 

 ores. The vegetable -remains, as determined by Prof. linger, stand 

 * See also Quart. Journ. Q-eol. Soc. vol. xvi. Part ii. Miscell. p. 38. 

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