XVII. Sketch of the Geology of Madeira, 



By the Hon. Henry Grey Bennett^ 



In a Letter addressed to G. B. Greenoiigh, Esq. F.R.S, 

 President of the Geological Societt/, 



And communicated hy liim to the Society. 



i HE following notes were taken during a short stay I made last 

 summer in the Island of Madeira. As there appears to be but little 

 known of the structure, or of the phenomena which the strata in that 

 island exhibit, the following observations may not perhaps be wholly 

 unacceptable. They may be considered as furnishing directions to 

 others, where to look for some of the most interesting objects ; and 

 may afford to future travellers a small portion of the information, 

 which my guide Dr. Shuter so liberally communicated to me. That 

 gentleman having long resided in the island, had repeatedly traversed 

 it, and was thereby able to point out to me some of the circumstances 

 which were most worthy of examination, particularly the nature of 

 the various strata that are exposed to view in the deep and abrupt 

 vallies which intersect the island in all directions. These vallies are 

 no less picturesque to the eye of the common traveller than they are 

 deserving of the attention of the geologist. They are in general' 

 narrow and deep, the summits of the hills that form their boundaries 

 are broken into peaks, rugged and bare, while their sides are covered^ 



