224 
MIOCENE PERIOD. 
[Ch. XVI. 
in Sicily, before described, were shown to be contemporaneous 
with newer Pliocene strata *. 
Auvergne — Velay. — We believe that part of the volcanic 
eruptions of Auvergne took place during the Miocene period ; 
those, for example, which cover, or are inter stratified with the 
alluviums mentioned in this chapter, and some of the ancient 
basaltic cappings of hills in Auvergne, which repose on gravel 
characterized by similar organic remains. A part also of the 
igneous rocks of Velay belong to this epoch, but to these we 
shall again refer when we treat more fully of the volcanic rocks 
of Central France ; the older part of which are referable to the 
Eocene period. 
* Sedgwick and Murchison, Geol. Trans. Second Series, vol. iii. p. 400.— 
Daubeny, Extinct Volcanos, p. 92. 
