Mr. De la Beche on the Geology of Jamaica. 185 



man's Point, and Whydah Bay, between the Rio Grande and Daniel's River 

 (Portland), appears to be diluvial, as may also be part of the gravels occurring- 

 in the plain from Bath (St. Thomas-in-the-East) to the sea. Through this 

 plain the Plantain Garden River flows. Most of the gravels in the neigh- 

 bourhood of Serge Island estate (St. Thomas-in-the-East) seem also to belong 

 to the same epoch of formation. 



As connected with the subject, it may be as well to notice the valleys of the 

 white limestone formation, which completely oppose themselves to the theory 

 that valleys have been formed by the waters now flowing in them ; for no 

 waters flow in the greater part of those hollowed out of this formation, the 

 limestone being, as before mentioned, extremely cavernous, and the rains that 

 fall being speedily swallowed up in it : yet these valleys are, as to form, like 

 most other valleys, and probably owe their origin to the same causes which 

 have produced the greater part of those in the chalk, oolites, &c. of England, 

 at the period when diluvial gravel was formed. 



In Jamaica, where so many caverns exist, ample opportunities are without 

 doubt afforded of seeing whether or not they contain the remains of animals 

 that existed before the diluvial or great gravel period. Of the larger caverns 

 I only visited two, one in Luidas Vale, and the other in Portland Ridge 

 (Vere). 



The first is situated near Swansea estate, and winds considerably ; the 

 bottom is in some places formed of clay, but I have not heard that any bones 

 have ever been found in it*. The second, or Portland Cave, reminded me of 

 Professor Buckland's cave sections in one place, where a crust of stalagmite 

 covers silty clay ; but whether or not the latter contains bones I could not ascer- 

 tain, from the want of the necessary implements. How far this stalagmitic crust 



* The entrance to this cavern is highly picturesque, and is concealed from a distant observer 

 by dense tropical vegetation. The first part of the cave varies in height, and is, in some places, 

 lofty ; this portion is covered with grotesque stalactites and stalagmites, and some of the columns 

 are very beautiful. It terminates in a small open space surrounded by cliffs, where some negroes 

 cultivate plantains and cocos. The length of the first cavern is about 76 paces allowing for all in- 

 equalities. After crossing the small open space above mentioned, (probably only a portion of the 

 cave that has fallen in,) we entered a cavern forming a winding chamber, about 89 paces in length, 

 the sides, roof, and floor of which are covered with stalactites and stalagmites. We then crept 

 through a low communication about three paces long, and entered another chamber about 34 

 paces in length, containing grotesque stalactites and stalagmites. We then came to a small space, 

 through which we crept upon our hands and knees, for about the distance of two paces ; and this 

 opened into a lofty cavern 54 paces in length, where bats were clustered in considerable numbers 

 on a portion of the roof. This chamber was separated from another by a small division. The space 

 now entered was tolerably lofty and about 21 paces long : at the end, the roof had fallen in, and 



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