THE DOWNS AND THE ESCARPMENTS 



OF THE WEALD 



A NEW VIEW OF THEIR GEOLOGICAL HISTORY 



By MAJOR R. A. MARRIOTT, D.S.O. 



The Argument 



The ' denudation ' of the Weald has been so constantly the 

 theme of teachers of geology, as exemplifying changes of 

 landscape engraved on the earth's surface by geological forces, 

 that it might be supposed that the processes by which the 

 Weald has arrived at its present condition were well under- 

 stood. 



This is far from being the case. Several theories have 

 been advanced, but these are based on inferences lacking real 

 justification ; and, when it comes to describing the initial 

 processes, no direct impression is conveyed to the mind, by 

 which it can picture what the original condition of the land- 

 scape was supposed to be. In nearly every case the assumption 

 has been made that the chalk was once continuous and covered 

 the whole Weald : and this is followed by attempts to explain 

 its subsequent disappearance between the North and South 

 Downs. It is extraordinary that an inference with so little 

 to support it should have held its ground unchallenged for so 

 long a time. 



It will be shown that a better explanation lies by way of 

 anti-climax in the by no means improbable fact that this 

 mountainous mass of chalk had never any existence. This 

 explanation has the merit of providing a simpler and perfectly 

 intelligible stage-setting to begin with, while it affords a clear 

 grasp of the probable changes throughout the history of the 

 Weald. 



Seen in this light, the nature-lesson taught by the Weald is 

 as wonderful as it is instructive. 



S9i 



