118 Dr Daubeny on the Geology of Sicily. 
the north coast, as near Melazzo and Termini, between Alcanio 
and the sea, and at the foot of Mount Guiliano near Trepani. 
In following the line of coast from the latter place to Girgenti, 
we observe a white calcareous breccia, which appears to be of the 
same date and origin *. 
It is well seen near Mar^ola, where it contains numerous shells, 
especially Trochi, Pectens, Tellinae, Cardia, Arcae, Dentalia, 
Neritae and Murices. 
A similar breccia, but one of a more arenaceous character, 
constitutes the whole of the coast between Selinus and Sciacca, 
and is in many places ascertained to extend several miles into the 
interior, for I found it at Castelvetrano, which, in this part of 
the island, was the farthest point from the coast to which I de- 
viated. 
The shells in these places are mostly the same as those before 
enumerated, but they here form an aggregate sufficiently com- 
pact for a building stone. Of this material were built the tem- 
ples at Selinus, the stupendous ruins of which are known by 
the names of the Pillars of the Giants, (Pileri dei Gigante); 
and, though the uneven surface of the stone would have been 
ill adapted for finished sculpture j*, yet, from the comparative 
ease with which it might be worked, it was probably preferred 
for buildings in which the bulk of the materials, and the solidity 
of the structure, were the points chiefly considered. 
Near Marcola and Sciacca, I observed in the rock certain 
spherical concretions, arising from clusters of irregular tubiform 
bodies, diverging from a common centre. I know not whether 
they are organic. 
( To he continued.) 
* Humboldt’s Personal. Narrative, vol. iii. p. 10., English Translation, de- 
scribes a calcareous sandstone or breccia of the same kind, as occurring near Cu- 
mana. It rests on beds of clay containing selenite and gypsum. 
-j- It is to be hoped that the public will soon be presented with a detailed account 
of the recent discovery made in 1823, by some of our own countrymen among these 
ruins, — a discovery not less interesting in itself, as making us acquainted with an 
sera in Grecian sculpture, anterior to any of which we possess documents, than for 
the enterprise and self-devotion displayed by the individuals who accomplished it ; 
one of whom fell a victim to a fever, brought on by his zeal in prosecuting his la- 
borious task during a .most unwholesome season. 
