XVII. Sketch of the Geology of Madeira.
By the Hon. Henry Grey Bennet,
In a Letter addressed to G. B. Greenough, Esq. F.R.S.
President of the Geological Society,
And communicated by him to the Society.
The 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
