244 Fossils found near Chatham, 



and on the other slopes (interrupted by vales of similar con- 

 struction to the transverse valleys) covered by diluvial depo- 

 sits ; and the fact that these transverse valleys turn into the 

 river valley, forming, altogether, a complete system of drain- 

 age to this portion of country, namely, that lying to the 

 south-Vilest of the great transverse valley of Chatham. The 

 remainder of it, included within the limits above-mentioned, 

 has a gentle inclination towards the river, and is consequently 

 drained into it in another way. 



It is evident, from the nature of its organic remains, that 

 the chalk was deposited at the bottom of a former ocean ; and 

 also, from its stratification, that its original position was per- 

 fectly horizontal : it has emerged from beneath the waters, and 

 the horizontality of its strata is changed to a dip varying from 

 10 to 30 degrees. The repetition of the usual phenomena of 

 nature for a thousand centuries would not have produced these 

 effects ; except volcanic phenomena on a great scale, we 

 know of no existing power capable of producing such effects. 

 The present geological appearances are such as indicate the 

 action of an enormous and sudden powder, operating as great 

 and as sudden changes. Let us look at the river valley, the 

 transverse valleys, and their small vales, and we shall perceive 

 evidence of a great alteration of the original position of the 

 mass of chalk ; its upper beds have suffered very great dis- 

 ruption and waste. The river valley, and the others connected 

 with it, have originated, I believe, in the bursting asunder of 

 the upper chalk beds, to the depth of from 60 to 600 ft. ; the 

 fracture which produced them also loosened great portions, 

 and caused the shattering, Assuring, and slipping of the 

 neighbouring portions, so evident to all who diligently observe 

 the chalk. The main edge, or basset, to the south, is in- 

 dented by numerous bays and promontories regularly alter- 

 nating, the angles of which are worn round and smooth ; the 

 feet and hollows are covered by a talus of water-worn frag- 

 ments, among which many flints are found irregularly dis- 

 persed ; and this is the case with the basset edges in all the 

 valleys and vales. The mouths of the transverse valleys, 

 where they open into the river valley, are more or less choked 

 by an accumulation of gravel, flints, sand, and rolled chalk 

 fragments; which have evidently been placed there by an 

 active current of water, which has flowed from the older and 

 lower over the younger and higher strata, with great force, 

 and evidently occupying the river valley to the tops of the 

 hills : consequently the same waters covered the whole dis- 

 trict, and flooded even to the tops of the ridge of the great or 



