84 Geology of the South East of Dorsetshire. 



Dr. Fitton also says, in further contradiction of Di\ Mitch- 

 ell's 'horizontality of position' for some miles from Sivanwich, 

 — " between the extreme points of Durlstone Head and Gad 

 Cliff, a real curvature, combined with the general inclination 

 of the strata towards the north, which is, in some places, very 

 rapid, has caused an extensive disclosure of the lower beds, 

 excellent sections of which are visible on the west of St. Al- 

 ban's Head."— p. 210. 



I pass on to Dr. Mitchell's 'remark,' " on what are called 

 the highly inclined red cliffs of Hastings sand, in Swanwich 

 Bay." (p. 589). He criticises the wood-cut, and says, "it 

 would be supposed, that the cliffs referred to were close to 

 the town, and rose at a high angle." The wood-cut, as before 

 stated, represents the coast as seen from the sea, and is merely 

 a sketch from a certain point, giving what is actually seen 

 from that point. The flat space Dr. M. alludes to, could 

 scarcely be seen from that point of view ; but if it could be 

 seen, it is not " about half a mile " in length, but exactly 200 

 paces ! (Measured by Dr. Fitton ; G. T. iv. p. 207). 



Dr. M. goes on ; — " Half a mile from Swanwich, and for the 

 extent of more than half a mile, as far north of the chalk," — 

 &c. &c. I suppose these two measurements make more than 

 a mile to the chalk. Now the first half mile is about 200 

 paces, and the second more than 20 times as far ! For, from 

 the end of these 200 paces to the chalk, there are about 4250 

 paces ; the whole space is about 4270 paces. This space is 

 occupied by Upper green sand, 250 paces. 



Gault, 200 



Lower green sand, 240? 



Weald clay, 46 ? 



Hastings sand, 3500 



4236 

 (See Fitton's Monograph, p. 207). 



Dr. M. says the dip is 15°. I have frequently measured 

 portions of the series, and found the dip to be 24°. Mr. Web- 

 ster, Dr. Fitton, and others, call the beds " highly inclined" 

 Dr. Buckland says they vary from 15° to 30°. (G. T. iii. p. 

 429). Since the publication of Dr. M.'s criticism, I have mea- 

 sured the beds again, and near the junction of the Hastings 

 sand with the weald clay, I found the inclination to be 56° ! 

 This is, I think, " highly inclined" 



Dr. M. says the " red stripes" " in the Hastings sands, are 

 the changed form of brown sand." I can assure Dr. M. that 

 there is red sand, as well as brown, yellow, green, whitish, 

 drab, and various other coloured sands and marls. 



