28 
Mo, 
532 General Notes. [May, 
fronting the ocean. From a very general geological point of view 
we may define the regions running from the littoral to the interior 
in the following order, viz., limestone, sandstone and granite, 
These distinctions are not very exact on a closer view, the com- 
ponent parts run into each other and change places, while precise 
lines of demarcation are wanting. The west coast at the points 
observed by us between Loanda and Mossamedes, and even further 
to the north, shows a belt of tertiary deposits near the sea, with 
abundant masses of sulphate of lime and sandstone, from which 
they are separated by beds of white chalk alternating with primary 
rocks, mostly gneiss, abounding in quartz, mica, hornblende, 
granite and granulated porphyry. Towards the south large tracts 
of feldspar are visible. At Mossamedes whole mountains are 
composed of sulphate of lime, while carbonate of lime (in shells) 
is frequent. Rock-salt and nitrate of potash occur stratified. 
We were told that a basaltic line of great length exists along the 
Moscambe chain. From that point commence true saharas of 
shifting soil, abundant in sand, as in the parallel of Tiger bay. In 
the transition from the lower zone to the interior, as at Dondo, 
the soil of vast tracts is composed of schist, in perfect lamınæ, 
and sandstone, red with oxide of iron, is visible in every direction. 
In the mountains further in the interior the ground is composed 
of granite-quartzy rock, extremely hard and compact; this 1s - 
case throughout the belt up to Pungo N’Dongo, the surface sol! 
being formed by disintegrated granite. th 
These geological characters will naturally be repeated no! 
and south in identical parallel regions, with variations 1n te ® ae 
table-land, where we meet occasionally with hard and tough “i 
sandstone and rocks of feldspar, as in the basin of the Lucalla. l 
REMARKABLE LAnD-SLIPS.—A late number of Knowledge ord ) 
tains a remarkable account of two land-slips. The first of these 
curred near Fort de l’Ecluse, at Mt. Credo, on the Rhone. Bo 
Times Geneva correspondent says: “ The condition of things A 
serious. The entire side of Mont Credo, on which the > el 3 
built, appears to be giving way, and more earth-slips ate k re 
The lower fort is considered past saving, and the pn le 
re sal 0 ‘ 
been withdrawn. The rocks on which the fort stand A 7a 
to get to a low level, having plenty to work upon in are oe 
E 
floods in the neighborhood of Castlerea. A bo 
siderable distance, causing serious losses to t 
