320 Geological Society : — 



it was allowed that, as marine deposits much exceed in quantity 

 those of freshwater origin, so the great denudations, the planings- 

 down of vast tracts of which examples are given by unconformities, 

 have been worked out by the action of the sea ; but it was maintained 

 that, on the other hand, the far smaller denudations and comparatively 

 trifling irregularities of the surface (our hills and valleys) have been 

 worn out by the long- continued action of rain, rivers, and ice. 



May 22, 1867. — J. Carrick Moore, Esq., M.A., F.R.S., 

 Vice-President, in the Chair. 



The following communications were read : — - 



I. *' On the Bone-caves near Crendi, Zebbug, and Melheha, in 

 the Island of Malta." By Captain T. A. B. Spratt, R.N., C.B., 

 F.R.S., F.G.S. 



The Crendi (or Mahlek) Cavern is situated on the south coast of 

 Malta. The flooring consisted of two distinct deposits, the lower 

 being a stratum composed of a hard stalagmitic clay with rounded 

 pebbles, and containing teeth and bones (unworn) of the Hippopo- 

 tamus (H. Pentlandi). The upper stratum, also a stalagmitic de- 

 posit, contained bones of the Myoxus Melitensis, and of Birds, with 

 some recent Land-shells. 



The Zebbug Cavern, in the interior of the island, was, when dis- 

 covered, filled with sandy clay containing subangular fragments of 

 the rock, and bones of at least two species of Elephant, comprising 

 a complete set of the teeth and tusks of the pigmy elephant, repre- 

 senting animals in every stage of growth, and part of the tusk of 

 a much larger elephant. No remains of Hippopotamus were met 

 with in this cavern; but a few bones of Myoxus (2 spp.), of Birds, 

 and of a Chelonian were discovered in it. 



The Melheha Cavern, at the north end of the island, contained a 

 deposit with remains of the teeth and bones of the Hippopotamus 

 only, and seemed therefore to represent the lower stratum of the 

 Crendi Cavern. 



From the fact that the deposits containing remains of the Hippo- 

 potamus were so distinct from those including the Elephant-remains, 

 Captain Spratt inferred that these two mammals belonged to distinct 

 geological epochs, the Elephant being the more recent. 



As Malta and Gozo were probably elevated above the sea at the 

 close of the Miocene period, it is very possible that the caverns, 

 formed by the long action of the sea upon its cliffs, may contain the 

 relics of animals of more than one, if not of each, subsequent geolo- 

 gical period. 



In respect to Dr. Leith Adams's discovery of remains of the 

 Elephant in scattered debris of subangular fragments and red earth, 

 filling fissures and hollows in various parts of Malta, Captain Spratt 

 stated his opinion that the phenomena were produced by a " wave 

 of translation," resulting from a sudden subsidence of the island 

 below the sea at a very recent geological period, of too short a dura- 

 tion, however, to allow of any purely marine deposit being formed. 



Captain Spratt discussed the evidence, afforded by soundings, of 

 the former connexion of Malta with Europe and Africa, by land that 



