LAND UPRAISED. 31 



heaved from beneath the sea, or that the retreat 

 of the latter has left the plain, extending to the 

 westward and southward of Berberah, the dry 

 land we now find it. At one time the coast about 

 here must have been of a somewhat similar cha- 

 racter to that which is now presented by the 

 harbour of Zeila, deep narrow channels exis ting- 

 between extensive coral reefs, which, at the distance 

 of three miles from the town, have not one fathom 

 in depth of water over them. At the time of such 

 submersion of the plain of Berberah, the sea must 

 then have come up to the nearly regular line of low 

 volcanic hills, ^ich, commencing a few miles 

 distant from the town, stretch in a south-western 

 direction for many miles inland. This portion of 

 the then sea of Aden included a considerable part 

 of the country between Zeila and Hurrah, for the 

 present coast-line, from the former town to Berberah, 

 assumed as a base, whilst Hurrah may represent 

 the apex, will give some idea of the triangular form 

 of this now habitable tract, which, I conclude, has 

 been raised above the level of the sea by the opera- 

 tion of some vast upheaving force. Whatever 

 testimony is required for this opinion is presented 

 by the geological character of the numerous small 

 hills to the south of Berberah: old coral reefs 

 studding the place with eminences about twenty- 

 five feet high as far as the eye can reach. If these 

 formations are considered as insufficient authority 

 for my founding an opinion upon the submarine 

 origin of this country and its recent elevation, I 



