Geological Society. 5Q5 



present state, could not have accumulated the sediment which forms 

 the surface of the valleys, or have worn the vertical cliffs by which 

 they are partly bounded. In the valley of the Exe, above Topsham, 

 is a bed abounding with marine shells of existing species, but high 

 above the reach of any tide. 



{b.) The raised beaches of Hope's Nose and the Thatcher were 

 described by the author on a former occasion*; but in this paper 

 he shows, that similar deposits occur to the west of Bovey-head, and 

 at intervals along the whole southern coast of Devonshire. The 

 upper limit of these beaches seldom exceeds 60 or 70 feet above the 

 present sea-level. The raised beach to the west of Bovey-head, 

 consists of shingle and indurated sand, associated, in the upper part, 

 with red haematite, and it is overlaid by a thick mass of the same 

 ere. This haematite is connected with the Upton iron lode. 



(c.) Accumulations of water-worn rocks. — In every valley, with 

 the exception of that of the estuary of the Teign, are thick heaps of 

 debris, derived principally from the adjacent formations, and occa- 

 sionally containing bones of the elephant and rhinoceros. Simi- 

 lar detritus caps all the ridges which lead up to the Haldons ; also the 

 summit of those hills, Blackdown, &c. ; but the fragments are less 

 water- worn on the tops of the ridges than in the valleys. 



(d.) The Bovey deposit is not described in this paper, the author 

 intending to prepare a separate account of it. 



(e.) Ossiferous caves. — No [information is given respecting the 

 contents of the bone- caverns, Mr. Austen referring to the accounts 

 already published respecting those at Chudleigh and Kent's Hole. 



(/.) The bed of angular flints, containing in its lower part large 

 tabular and angular blocks of chert and sandstone, and resting on the 

 green sand of Haldon and Blackdown, is referred by the author to 

 the tertiary series ; and the angular form of the fragments strongly 

 distinguishes the bed from the overlying superficial debris. The 

 blocks of breccia, composed of angular flints, cemented by a very hard 

 sandstone, and scattered over the surface of the hills and along the 

 valleys, particularly near Sidmouth, are likewise considered as the 

 remains of a tertiary deposit, probably of the same age as the grey 

 wethers of Wiltshire. In the blocks near Sidmouth, Mr. Austen 

 has observed remains of shells, which he is of opinion belong to 

 the freshwater genus Planorbis, and in the Haldon beds numerous 

 individuals of the genus Cyprcea. 



Secondary Formations. — These consist of, (a.) chalk; {b.) green 

 sand ; (c.) new red sandstone ; and {d.) coal measures. 



(a.) Chalk. — The prevailing divisions of this formation in the 

 S.E. of England are stated to extend to Maynorst Cliflf ; but detached 

 masses of lower chalk are found among the debris as far west as 

 Peak Hill ; and a white calcareous bed rests on the green sand of 

 Style Hill. 



{b.) Green sand. — This formation the author has traced along the 



* Proceedings, vol. ii. p. 102, [and Lond. and Edinb. Phil. Mag., vol. vi. 

 p. 63.] 



