Note 132 — Chapter XXIV · PALAGONITE

I have visited this locality on several occasions with the special object of studying the relation of the basalt to the associated palagonite-tuffs and clays. A general discussion of this question would be out of place here; but I may remark that the conclusion arrived at by me is that these deposits are not sedimentary but are entirely the result of the disintegration of palagonite in situ. This is quite opposed to the view of their sedimentary origin held by Dr. Johnston-Lavis, Prof. Platania, and other Italian geologists.... The basalt is scoriaceous, semi-vitreous, and semi-ophitic, and closely approaches the type of basalt above defined.