XIII. — Remarks on the Geology of Jamaica. 

 By H. T. De la BECHE, Esq. P.R.S., F.L.S., 



FEL. GEOL. SOC, HON. MEM. PHYS. AND NAT. SOC. OF GENEVA^ ETC. 

 [Read Dec. 2nd 1825, and Jan. 6th 1826.] 



IHE detailed observations,, which alone can establish on a secure basis the 

 solution of those great geological problems, on which the hope of ultimately 

 arriving at any satisfactory theory must of necessity depend^ are, notwith- 

 standing the rapid progress which geology has recently made, as yet confined 

 to districts comparatively limited. The investigation of the order in which the 

 mineral masses constituting the earth's surface rest upon each other, and the 

 inquiry how far that order is invariable, — whether the remains of successive 

 races of organized beings, which characterize the different members of the 

 geological series, exhibit in distant countries general features of analogy, or 

 of distinction, — and how far the action of the various geological causes, 

 which appear to have operated in those localities with which we are besfac- 

 i^uainted can be recognised in others, — are questions which have hitherto been 

 principally confined to a few European countries. Even the very valuable 

 materials which the comprehensive mind of Humboldt has accumulated, must 

 be considered rather as indicating the extent of the field before us, than as 

 having fully occupied any part of it. 



In the present state of our knowledge, detailed monographs of particular 

 districts, although from their very nature in themselves dry and tedious, and 

 little calculated to attract the general reader, must necessarily precede those 

 extensive views, which are more delightful in proportion to the higher intel- 

 lectual powers which they require for their developement. In the hope of 

 contributing in the more humble manner towards the advancement of a science 

 to which I have been long attached, I offer the following observations ; feel- 

 ing at the same time that they require a few preliminary words of explanation 

 and apology. 



The minuteness of many of the details, into which I have found it expedient 

 to enter, may appear perhaps to many unnecessarily tedious : but it must be 



VOL. II. — SECOND SERIES. U , 



