430 ON THE GEOLOGY OF THE 



the conclusions drawn from the examination of any other dis- 

 trict that I am acquainted with. The observations which have 

 within these few years been given to the world on the Paris 

 basin, and on the similar country of Hampshire and the Isle 

 of Wight, are extremely interesting, and in fact opened a new 

 source of geological research ; but the phenomena, as present- 

 ed in both these situations, are surrounded with so many diffi- 

 culties, that as yet they can hardly be considered as grounds 

 for the foundation of any general conclusion. In the vicinity 

 of Nice, many similar phenomena occur; but they are accom- 

 panied with indications which render the nature of their origin 

 more evident, and consequently very greatly enhance their value. 

 The Limestone of Nice consists of two kinds, which, for the 

 sake of perspicuity, I shall call the first and second; and I fear 

 I shall be under the necessity of being contented, though not 

 satisfied, with these appellations. For, although the distinction 

 be so marked in the neighbourhood of Nice, as not to admit of 

 any hesitation, yet I found, on leaving that district, when the 

 second began to predominate, it assumed so much the texture 

 and appearance of the first, that I could not have known the 

 difference. I thought I might have been able to avail myself 

 of the terms cctlcciire comjjacte^ calcaire caverneuse, or Jura- 

 Limestone. Neither of the two first are correct, as limestones 

 of very different formations are found equally compact, and 

 equally remarkable from the caverns that occur in them ; and 

 with respect to the name Jura, as a distinctive geological term, 

 I think it extremely unfit ; because, in passing the range which 

 bears that name, from Gex to Poligny, I noticed great variety in 

 the composition of the limestone, of which its mountains are 

 formed. On the south side, it very much resembled the first 

 limestone of Nice, but contained more organic remains. Be- 

 fore arriving at Poligny, it bore more the aspect of the lime- 

 stone 



