Vol. 67.] OF ANTIGUA AND OTHER WEST INDIAN ISLANDS. 69l 



both situated on the same line and in the same depression, and it is 

 impossible that any rivers capable of excavating such valleys could 

 be developed in a small space measuring about a dozen miles in 

 length by 3 or 4 in width. To meet the conditions there must have 

 been two such rivers running in opposite directions. This depression 

 (the ' Central Plain ') is hemmed in on the east by the calcareous 

 formations, and on the west by the bills of the Volcanic Series ; 

 and there is no other land which conld have supplied such rivers. 

 What astonishes me here is that previous observers who investi- 

 gated the physical features of Antigua did not at once perceive the 

 significance of these two inlets and the depression between them, 

 marking plainly the division between the volcanic region on the 

 one hand and the sedimentary region on the other. 



It is not probable that Antigna was ever 1000 feet higher than 

 it is now, even if it was ever much higher at all. The belt of the 

 Antilles is rather an elevated than a sunken region. It is unlikely, 

 therefore, that any drowned subaerial valleys should exist in this 

 area. The sunken region of Atlantis lay to the east of the Antilles. 

 The calcareous islands are not remnants of land, but remnants 

 of marine formations laid down off the margins of the ancient 

 Atlantis, and their upheaval was more or less simultaneous with 

 the sinking of that land. 



It is possible that the Island of Antigua marks a point where 

 the subterranean forces assumed a maximum of intensity ; for there 

 the extent of the upheaval was greater than elsewhere, and resulted 

 in the formation of the ' Central Plain ' above sea-level and upon 

 the fissure itself. This ' Central Plain ' thus became the theatre 

 of an immense development of lakes and hot springs, similar to 

 those of the North Island of New Zealand. The volcanic vents 

 of Drewhill and Boon Point supply an indication of the intensity 

 of the eruptions, upon and even to the east of the fissure. In the 

 case of Guadeloupe the edges of the fissure rose above sea-level ; 

 but a ' Central Plain ' with its extraordinary development of lakes, 

 etc., did not arise here. In other parts the fissure was entirely 

 under water, and is largely filled up by the sediments from the 

 adjoining islands. The points of greatest intensity of the volcanic 

 disturbances are those marked by the Antillean islands, and at 

 intermediate points it seems unlikely that any developments of 

 vulcanicity took place upon the actual fissure or line of dislocation. 



The phenomena which I have endeavoured to elucidate in this 

 paper will probably serve as a key to some of those exhibited in Haiti 

 and other islands of the Greater Antilles; but, as I am unable to 

 pursue the investigation, I must leave it to my successors to follow r 

 it up. I think it highly probable that the Lavega depression in 

 the island of Haiti, among others of a like kind, will be found to 

 resemble in some respects the ' Central Plain ' of Antigua. 



There are other points upon which I might dwell in favour of 

 the theory here propounded, but I think that what has been set 



