Vol. 58. | DEVELOPMENT GF BARBADOS, ETC. 367 
limestones of Oligocene age. The evidence on which the Author relies is not 
given in the abstract of the paper, and when it appears it will be presumably 
such as only a coral-specialist can properly appreciate. He intimates, 
however, that the fauna is the same as that of his Antigua Formation, which 
Dr. T. W. Vaughan has pronounced to be of Oligocene age. I shall await the 
publication of this evidence with much interest.’ 
Postscript To Discussion. 
[The AvrHor, in reading over the proof, replies to Dr. Blanford’s 
doubts as to the continental elevation of the islands, in addition to the 
evidence adduced from drowned valleys set forth in these and other 
papers, by calling attention to the fact that features similar to the 
‘fosse du Cap Breton’ (not having a great river at its head) may be 
found dissecting the Central American plateaus where no great river 
enters them, as the barrancas cut out of nearly horizontal plains start 
from no surface-depression, and in the distance of a mile form gorges 
500 feet or more in depth, with numerous tributaries. All of 
these continue, and sooner or later form great valleys. They are 
like great wash-outs. As for not finding the continuation of the 
Rhine or that of a Norwegian fjord, these valleys are more or less 
in the path of the ancient glaciations, and therefore their courses 
may have become concealed; while, on the other hand, similar 
great-river valleys in America are traced to the floor of the sea. 
Referring to the distribution of fauna not supporting the continental 
connection of the islands, he would point out that remains of Ainbly- 
rluza and Elephants of Pleistocene age have been found in Anguilla 
and Guadeloupe. The great elevation is supposed to have been 
in the Karly Pleistocene Period. Later, subsidence completely or 
almost completely submerged many of the islands—thus reducing 
Barbados to an island of probably less than a square mile in, area, 
such as Sombrero is nowadays. And as there has been no sub- 
sequent connection of the islands and continent, large modern 
species could not be expected in the islands. The Author is quite 
prepared to accept an Atlantis theory such as Dr. Blanford seems 
to favour; but that would also involve a connection of the Wind- 
ward Islands with the continent at a late date. 
To reply to Prof. Sollas would involve too lengthy a discussion. 
But the evidence adduced from the submerged topographic forms 
is confirmed by the relationship with and repetition of land-features, 
best seen in high plateau-regions, such as Mexico and Central 
America, where the Author has just spent another winter (whence 
the delay in the appearance of this paper). 
In reply to Mr. Jukes-Browne, the Author ventures to think that 
a perusal of the full paper will explain the situation. The different 
series, as shown by unconformities so pronounced, with the most 
elevated and oldest calcareous formation traceable as dipping-beds 
to the sea-level, as for instance near Ragged Point, furnish proof of 
different epochs (short or long) even without fossils; and this shows 
that the Barbadian series are in complete harmony with those of 
the other Antillean islands, which help to explain the changes in 
Barbados, while those in Barbados throw light upon the history of 
the other islands.— April 28th, 1902. | 
