[25] Captain B. Hall, “Voyage to Loo Choo,” Append., pages xxi. and xxv. Captain Beechey’s “Voyage,” page 496. Dr. Davy[26] describes the northern province of _Ceylon_ as being very low, and consisting of a limestone with shells and corals of very recent origin; he adds, that it does not admit of a doubt that the sea has retired from this district even within the memory of man. There is also some reason for believing that the western shores of India, north of Ceylon, have been upraised within the recent period.[27] _Mauritius_ has certainly been upraised within the recent period, as I have stated in the chapter on fringing-reefs. The northern extremity of _Madagascar_ is described by Captain Owen[28] as formed of madreporitic rock, as likewise are the shores and outlying islands along an immense space of _Eastern Africa_, from a little north of the equator for nine hundred miles southward. Nothing can be more vague than the expression “madreporitic rock;” but at the same time it is, I think, scarcely possible to look at the chart of the linear islets, which rise to a greater height than can be accounted for by the growth of coral, in front of the coast, from the equator to 2° S., without feeling convinced that a line of fringing-reefs has been elevated at a period so recent, that no great changes have since taken place on the surface of this part of the globe. Some, also, of the higher islands of madreporitic rock on this coast, for instance Pemba, have very singular forms, which seem to show the combined effect of the growth of coral round submerged banks, and their subsequent upheaval. Dr. Allan informs me that he never observed any elevated organic remains on the _Seychelles_, which come under our fringed class. [26] “Travels in Ceylon,” page 13. This madreporitic formation is mentioned by M. Cordier in his report to the Institute (May 4th, 1839), on the voyage of the “Chevrette”, as one of immense extent, and belonging to the latest tertiary period. [27] Dr. Benza, in his “Journey through the N. Circars” (the “Madras Lit. and Scient. Journ.” volume v.) has described a formation with recent fresh-water and marine shells, occurring at the distance of three or four miles from the present shore. Dr. Benza, in conversation with me, attributed their position to a rise of the land. Dr. Malcolmson, however (and there cannot be a higher authority on the geology of India) informs me that he suspects that these beds may have been formed by the mere action of the waves and currents accumulating sediment. From analogy I should much incline to Dr. Benza’s opinion. [28] Owen’s “Africa,” volume ii., page 37, for Madagascar; and for S. Africa, volume i., pages 412 and 426. Lieutenant Boteler’s narrative contains fuller particulars regarding the coral-rock, volume i., page 174, and volume ii., pages 41 and 54. See also Ruschenberger’s “Voyage round the World,” volume i., page 60.