Page:Transactions of the Geological Society, 1st series, vol. 1.djvu/403



following notes were taken during a short stay I made last summer in the Island of Madeira. As there appears to be but little known of the structure, or of the phenomena which the strata in that island exhibit, the following observations may not perhaps be wholly unacceptable. They may be considered as furnishing directions to others, where to look for some of the most interesting objects; and may afford to future travellers a small portion of the information, which my guide Dr. Shuter so liberally communicated to me. That gentleman having long resided in the island, had repeatedly traversed it, and was thereby able to point out to me some of the circumstances which were most worthy of examination, particularly the nature of the various strata that are exposed to view in the deep and abrupt vallies which intersect the island in all directions. These vallies are no less picturesque to the eye of the common traveller than they are deserving of the attention of the geologist. They are in general narrow and deep, the summits of the hills that form their boundaries are broken into peaks, rugged and bare, while their sides are covered