SCIENTIFIC INTELLIGENCE. 205 



Mr. Editor, 



I HAVE been so frequently applied to by 

 geologists, as to the best mode of procuring the fossils of the London 

 clay from the Isle of Sheppey, that I am induced to send you a few 

 hints as to the mode of collecting in that locality. Although one 

 of the most accessible, it is probably the least known of any of the 

 rich geological fields that are within a short distance of the metropolis. 

 As a trip to this interesting spot can be accomplished by an absence 

 from London of only three days, and yet the collector be amply laden 

 with fossils on his return, I will endeavour to put your readers in posses- 

 sion of the best mode of conducting such an excursion. The best con- 

 veyance is by the Southend and Sheemess steam-packets, which leave 

 London Bridge on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays, at 11 o'clock 

 in the morning, and reach Sheemess about 4 or 5 o'clock in the after- 

 noon. The town is divided into two parts, — the one contained within 

 the limits of the garrison being designated the Blue-town, while that 

 beyond the fortifications to the north-east is designated the Mile-town ; 

 — and it is to this portion that I should recommend the visitor to pro- 

 ceed, and to take up his quarters either at the Royal Hotel, or at the 

 Wellington : the latter is an exceedingly snug and comfortable house, 

 and is the one which I have resorted to for many years. After having 

 established yourself in your inn, request the Boots to desire the atten- 

 dance of Mr. Hays, (better known perhaps by the name of Paddy 

 Hays), from whom you may purchase, at a very reasonable rate, some 

 good fossils, such as crabs, lobsters, heads and portions of fishes, and 

 numerous species of fossil fruits. Our traveller will then have accom- 

 plished all that can be done towards the acquisition of fossils until the 

 following morning ; there not being, I believe, any other collector in 

 the town from whom purchases can be made. 



On the following morning I should recommend an early breakfast, 

 as a considerable extent of ground is to be traversed. It is advisable 

 to go provided with five or six sheets of soft paper, to wrap fragile 

 specimens in, and a few cotton or linen bags, of about four or five 

 inches in diameter, to separate the large from the small fossils ; the 

 whole to be carried in a good sized blue bag or haversack, no chisel 

 or hammer being necessary on this occasion. If our geologist has a 

 desire to view the great section of the London clay, afibrded by the 

 cliifs of the north shore of Sheppey, and is content with comparatively 

 the few fossils which he may be able to procure by his own exertions, 

 he may proceed in the following manner. — Leaving Sheemess by the 

 new town, he will pass along the sea wall, towards Minster, until he 

 reaches Scaps-gate, where the cliffs begin to rise from the low lands of 

 the western end of Sheppey. A few cottages are scattered round this 

 point, some of the inhabitants of which work upon the beach, either 

 collecting cement stone or pyrites, the latter being better known by 

 the name of copperas. To these, application should be made to know 

 if they have any '' curiosities," and very frequently excellent specimens, 

 and at a small price, will be thus procured. From this point the route 

 will then be beneath the cliffs upon the shingle, amidst which, dark 

 patches, ten or fifteen yards in length, will be observed, composed of 



