‘Cyprus.’ [‎59v] (118/184)

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CYPRUS.
CHAPTER IX.
Geology and 'Mineralogy.
The physical features of Cyprus, consisting of two distinct
mountain systems, the larger, the Olympus range, which occupies
the south and south-west portion of the island, separated by a large
plain, called the Messaria, from the other, called the Cerinea and
Karpas range, which borders the north coast, have been topo
graphically described; it now remains to consider their geological
aspect.
Speaking in general terms, the fundamental masses of both the
mountain ranges are composed of igneous or plutonic rocks, but
there is this difference, namely, that in the southern range these
rocks form the main mass of the mountains, and extend in a con
tinuous line from west to east; whilst in the northern range they
occur only in subordinate and isolated patches of small extent.
This plutonic, or perhaps in part metamorphic, formation, consists
chiefly of greenstone, with its varieties, such as diorite, gabbro,
aphanite, &c., and is associated with a quartz-bearing trachyte, a
rock uf undoubted volcanic origin.
These rocks are overlain by sedimentary deposits, amongst
which we find various limestones, sandstones, argillaceous marls ;
beds of gypsum, and conglomerates.
The chronological order of the several formations has been
determined by Gaudry as follows, commencing with the oldest—
1. The compact Limestones. These are supposed by Gaudry
to be cretaceous, whilst Unger and Kotschy classify them
as Jurassic.
2. Sandstones or “ macignos.” Gaudry considers this formation
to be lower tertiary (eocene), but it is identified by Unger
and Kotschy as Vienna sandstone (upper cretaceous ?)
3. The white marl, white chalky limestone, and gypsum. These
beds are middle tertiaries (miocene).
4. The igneous and plutonic (metamorphic ?) rocks.
5. The coarse limestone, sand, and marl. These beds are upper
tertiaries (pliocene).
6. The sands and conglomerates. These are a quaternary for
mation.
The above order is only open to question with regard to the
relative chronological position of the plutonic rocks ; in this matter
the authorities before us are not of accord, and until a more
thorough geological examination of the island has been made, it is
difficult to speak on the subject with certainty. It appears, how-