l^'^ Mr. P^ J^ sMarti^ Qn\i/te 4n^iffii:^af Ime of 



abimdaiitly apparent that the same causea have produced thp 

 same effects in the whole course of our line, as regards these 

 aurface-phsenomena, two circumstances have conspired to giye a 

 broader aspect and a more decided character to them in that,p^rt 

 of it which is generally called the " denudation of the \Veal4forf 

 -.First, the greater violence of disi'uptive force in that, part of 

 it ; and secondly, the greater variety in the strata there exposed, 

 and their greater tenacity and durability, as compare4;Wi^h.,<J|^ 

 more ductile and friable chalk. ,;|j 



A description of the cross-fractures and drainage of the Weald 

 w^as begun by myself in 1828, continued in the foregoing memoir 

 ia 1840, and pi-olonged by Mr. Hopkins, in illustration of his 

 'fTheoiy of Elevation" (Geol. Trans, vol. vii.). I accept Mr. 

 Hopkins^s description of the structure of the Weald, as a faith- 

 ful representation of some of its most prominent features; and 

 if I am able to add anything to that gentleman^s exposition 

 of these surface-changes, it is because my long residence on 

 the spot has made me familiar with many minor details, of 

 which a cursory observer would not be cognizant. If I differ 

 from him in my interpretation of the phsenomena in question^ 

 it may be because of my imperfect knowledge of the data on 

 which he proceeds. It is probable that his " Theory of Ele- 

 vation" may be fomided in nature, and every one will rejoice 

 that the exact sciences can be brought to bear in this branch of 

 geological research ; and that a theory should be propounded as 

 convincing as a " theory of glacier motion," or of " wave of 

 transport," or of any other object of geological dynamics. With- 

 out calling in question the general propositions advanced with 

 so much mathematical precision by Mr. Hopkins, but as he 

 allows only with approximate results, we may be allowed to 

 doubt if they meet all the requirements of the case, or explain, 

 fully all the appearances exhibited in the structure of the Weald. 

 I have said that if we could obtain a section of that district, it 

 would exhibit all the contortions of the older schists*. Subor- 

 dinate anticlinal lines assist in making up the great anticlinal, 

 and valleys of elevation exist all over its surface, subordinate to 

 the great valley of which they form jiarts. I consider these minor 

 anticlinals us so many foldings of the strata, produced not by 

 lateral pressure, but by lateral resistance in their struggle up- 

 wards ; and all the lesser flexm-cs and faults, as so many pucker- 

 ings and rents to be included in the same categoiy. Mr. Hopkins 

 considers the principal anticlinals in the light of fissures. I am not 

 prepared altogether to dispute the proposition ; lines of disturb- 

 ance may perhaps be changed in their character as they are pro- 

 pagated through masses of various densities, and various degrees 

 * Phil. Mag., p. 133 of the present volume. 



