The Geological Structure Of This Part Of Celebes Is Interesting. The Limestone Mountains, Though Of Great Extent, Seem To Be Entirely Superficial, Resting On A Basis Of Basalt Which In Some Places Forms Low Rounded Hills Between The More Precipitous Mountains.

In the rocky beds of the streams basalt is almost always found, and it is a step in this rock which forms the cascade already described.

From it the limestone precipices rise abruptly; and in ascending the little stairway along the side of the fall, you step two or three times from tpe of rock on to the other - the limestone dry and rough, being worn by the water and rains into sharp ridges and honeycombed holes - the basalt moist, even, and worn smooth and slippery by the passage of bare- footed pedestrians. The solubility of the limestone by rain-water is well seen in the little blocks and peaks which rise thickly through the soil of the alluvial plains as you approach the mountains. They are all skittle-shaped, larger in the middle than at the base, the greatest diameter occurring at the height to which the country is flooded in the wet season, and thence decreasing regularly to the ground. Many of them overhang considerably, and some of the slenderer pillars appear to stand upon a point. When the rock is less solid it becomes curiously honeycombed by the rains of successive winters, and I noticed some masses reduced to a complete network of stone through which light could be seen in every direction.

Enter page number Go  Previous Next
Page 330 of 419
Words from 89869 to 90125 of 114260