362 PROCEEDINGS OE THE GEOLOGICAL SOCIETY. [March 12, 



the surface ; and there are two other valleys each of which has 

 yielded a considerable quantity of sulphur for local purposes. 



In each case there are several crevices, with hot vapours issuing 

 from them ; and the conditions are precisely similar throughout. 



The range of solfataras in this particular district extends for at 

 least a mile, and reaches probably much further in an easterly direc- 

 tion starting from the first ravine. I was informed, though I could 

 not examine the spot, that several miles further almost exactly 

 similar phenomena, on a somewhat less prominent scale, have been 

 recognized. The width of the sulphur-bearing district from north 

 to south is more than half a mile. Thus within a tolerably wide 

 belt of many square miles in total area the ground appears to be 

 penetrated with open crevices communicating below at no great 

 depth with a volcanic vent. 



There are unmistakable signs of volcanic action, but no sulphur, 

 to the west of the solfataras, at least as far as the Isthmus. These 

 consist of varieties of lava occasionally intersecting the strata and 

 considerably altering them. On the other side of the Isthmus, in 

 the Gulf of Corinth, the hill on which was the ancient city of Corinth, 

 and which consists of hard Limestone and rotten shale, shows the 

 strongest marks of volcanic action. The flat top once covered by 

 the Acropolis is crossed by numerous veins of igneous rock ; and there 

 are many yawning fissures passed on the ascent, where basalt is 

 distinctly seen. The adjacent hill is also volcanic. 



Thus it appears that lines of volcanic action parallel to the spurs 

 of the Alps (of which Etna and Vesuvius on the western side of the 

 Apennines, and Santorin on the eastern side of the Pindus chain, are 

 the modern vents) have formerly and at no distant period ranged far 

 to the north, and have in each case left behind them clear proof of 

 their existence, not only in masses of sulphur such as are found 

 on the Adriatic coast and in the north of Italy, but in actual solfa- 

 taras, still recognizable in the mainland of Greece, at a long distance 

 from the nearest modem volcano. 



Discussion. 



Admiral Speatt mentioned the peninsula of Methana, in the 

 Gulf of JEgina, which within the historical period has risen to a 

 considerable extent (7 stadia according to Strabo), and thus illus- 

 trates the influence of modern volcanic action very proximate to 

 the Kalamaki sulphur-springs. It is now nearly 3000 feet high (or 

 over half a mile), or 5 stadia. 



Mr. W. "W. Smyth wished that the author had drawn a more 

 distinct line between the tertiary beds containing sulphur and 

 those of still more recent origin. The beds near Corinth reminded 

 him much of some in Transylvania ; and he was anxious to know 

 whether the direction of the fissures or other phenomena indicated 

 any great disturbance of the strata. 



Prof. Ansted, in reply, mentioned that the fissures ran approxi- 

 mately north and south, and were as nearly as possible parallel. 



