THE MIOCENE PERIOD. 



279 



In spite of the wide sway of the southern sea of Europe, the Mio- 

 cene formations do not appear at the surface in great areas, though 

 found in all countries bordering the Mediterranean, both in Europe 

 and Africa. In most of these countries, the lower formations are of 

 marine origin, and the upper of brackish- or fresh-water origin. 



About the Dardanelles, such beds contain petroleum and bitu- 



Fig. 453. — Sketch-map showing area of non -marine deposits of the closing stage 

 (Sarmatian) of the Miocene. (After De Lapparent.) 



men. 1 In Africa, Miocene formations occur in Algeria and in Lower 

 Egypt, but not in Upper Egypt. They also occur in Syria, but not 

 in Arabia and Persia, showing that the water connection between 

 the Mediterranean and Indian ocean regions had come to an end. 

 The Gulf of Suez is thought to have been a Mediterranean bay at this 

 time. 2 



Close of the Miocene in Europe. — In Europe as in America con- 

 English, Q. J. G. S., 1904, pp. 255-260. 

 2 Hume, Geol, Mag., 1904, pp. 250-252. 



