Scientific Intelligence. — Geology. 177 
municating with it, which, on escaping, struck the air with vio- 
lence, and so produced the reports.— Bibliotheque Universelle r 
August 1825. 
25. Considerations on Volcanoes , by G. P. Scrope , Esq. Sec.' 
Geol. tfoc.— This is the most complete treatise on volcanoes hi- 
therto published in Britain ; and, although we differ from the 
intelligent author in some of his views, we have much pleasure 
in recommending his work to the particular attention of the 
geologist. 
26. Comparative durability of Marble and Granite. — -A frag- 
ment of a column in the ruins of Capernaum, mentioned by 
Professor Hall, is of an extremely beautiful granular marble, 
which has all the freshness and brilliancy of a specimen re- 
cently taken from a natural quarry. It has been full proof 
against the attacks of the elements during the lapse of per- 
haps 2000 years. Although limestone is softer than granite, 
it is frequently less liable to decomposition. This remark ac- 
cords with the observations of several travellers in Egypt, Greece, 
and Palestine. The feldspar of the granite is affected by the 
action of air and moisture sooner than either of its other in- 
gredients. 44 Of all natural substances used by the ancient art- 
ists,' ” says Dr Clarke, 44 Parian marble, when without veins, and 
therefore free from extraneous bodies, seems to have best resist- 
ed the various attacks made upon Grecian sculpture. It is 
found unaltered, when granite, and even porphyry, coeval as to 
their artificial state, have suffered decomposition.’” 
27. Geognosy of Palestine. — From the observations of Pro- 
fessor Hall, Dr Clarke, and other naturalists, it appears, that 
Palestine is principally composed of secondary limestone, inter- 
mingled with trap-rocks ; and the following, among other facts, 
are illustrations of the truth of this position. The country be- 
tween Jerusalem and Jaffa is of compact limestone ; the hill on 
which Nazareth is built is of a grey coloured compact limestone ; 
the Field of Blood, mentioned by St Mathew, is of friable lime- 
stone ; David’s Cave, mentioned in I. Samuel xxiv. appears to 
be situated in limestone ; the Mount of Olives is of limestone, in 
part granular; limestone occurs in the Valley of Jehosaphat ; 
VOL. XIV. NO. 27. JANUARY 1826. 
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