Page:Quarterly Journal of the Geological Society of London, vol. 27.djvu/222

 XXX the upheaval and the mammillated shape of the mountainous region situated on the north-eastern side of this town. Neither was he acquainted with the modern volcanic district of Riogordo ; this, however, is not suprising, as the place is out of the common track, being situated in the centre of a mountainous region, and it has not been brought into notice until very lately, by my friend the distinguished archaeologist Dr. Berlanger.

But what struck me more particularly in Prof. Ansted's memoir was his assertion that fossils are exceedingly rare in the Secondary limestones of the south of Andalusia, and that, although the few specimens that different geologists had been able to collect had enabled them to agree as to the Jurassic character of the rocks, they could not determine whether they belonged to the upper or lower division of that period. My limited personal experience corroborated this view ; but having lately become acquainted with a Secondary formation rich in fossils, and bearing a character similar in its composition to those which exist in several parts of the south of Spain, I shall make its description the subject of this communication.

A couple of miles to the south of the city of Antequera, and about thirty miles from Malaga, there exists a mountain-chain, running from E. to W. for about thirty miles. It is very rough and steep, and in some places attains the height of 7000 feet above the level of the sea. Near Antequera it divides into two branches : the one nearer to the city, in the northern direction, called Sierra de la Chimenea, is the culminating point of the whole chain ; and the other, which is about 1000 feet lower, extends to the southwest, sloping in that direction, while at other points it presents nearly vertical precipices. This branch of the Sierra is popularly called the " Torcal," on account of the huge blocks of stone of which it is composed. I had long heard much about its wonderful structure ; but, owing to its difficult access, few persons have climbed it, and therefore all the information I could collect was of a very vague character. At the end of last year I determined to visit it, accompanied by some friends.

Fancy yourself in a great city of marble, with immense squares and numerous streets, covered with castles, arches, and pyramids, and other buildings of the most fantastic shape and colossal size. Such was the spectacle which developed itself before us, with out much strain upon the imagination. The rocks sometimes assume the form of huge monsters ; and in other places we thought they looked human, and as if great giants were frowning upon us. Natural bridges were seen in every direction ; but what surprised us more was the wonderful state of equibibrium in which many of the rocks were piled together ; we repeatedly saw, for example, an enormous rock on the top of a slender pyramid, which, although it looks likely to fall at the slightest breeze, has stood firm in this position for successive ages. I assure you that I do not exaggerate in the slightest degree the extraordinary magnificence of this natural wonder. I should recommend all travellers who love to con- template the beautiful and capricious forms of nature in her strangest