Cornwall, Devon, and West Somerset. 25 



nity of Weston-super-Mare, on the north, and in the valley of the 

 Axe on the south. Excellent grass-land is often seen on the lias, 

 as also many good orchards; but in general the arable land 

 upon it seems not very remarkable for abundant produce. Oaks, 

 as might be expected, often grow well, particularly upon the marly 

 or clayey parts. 



Taken as a whole, the area occupied by the red sandstone 

 series is one of considerable fertility, especially when uncovered by 

 transported gravels. The red marls, with their higher variegated 

 parts adjoining the lias, would appear very favourable for the 

 growth of apples ; and the cider obtained from their range is 

 commonly found to be very excellent, when sufficient attention is 

 paid to the mode of making — an attention not so common as 

 could be desired. The cider obtained from the red and variegated 

 marls of the Vale of Taunton, and that made in the valleys of the 

 Otter, the Coly, the Yart, and the Axe, where they cut into the 

 same beds, and the surface is fairly clear of gravel, may be taken as 

 examples of this circumstance. In many places, also, where beds 

 of red marl are intermingled with the sandstones and conglo- 

 merates of the other parts of the series, or the latter contain much 

 marly matter, the same fact will be observed. Some of the best 

 lands in Somerset and Devon are upon the red sandstone series ; 

 and the general rich appearance of the vegetation it bears, more 

 particularly where the soil is directly based upon it, so that its 

 component parts have been superficially decomposed to form the 

 chief part of such soil, is one of the marked features of the country. 

 No doubt, as these component parts vary, so does the fertility ; 

 but there are few soils of any great extent, composed really of de- 

 composed portions of the red sandstone series, which are not rich 

 in general products. Their different porosity certainly causes 

 minor variations, some of the marly grounds being inclined to be 

 Avefc, while some of the sandstone grounds are too dry. The upper 

 beds are most disposed to be wet and clayey, while of the too 

 great porosity of subsoil rock the localities are more scattered. 



We next find a contrast between the fertility of the soil on the 

 beds of the red sandstone series, and of that on the rocks upon 

 which it rests, which is marked and striking, and much in favour 

 of the former. As the country formed of this series generally 

 occupies a lower position than that composed of these subjacent 

 rocks, it may be said that it is more sheltered, and that often this 

 contrast is deceptive, the lower and less exposed portions of 

 ground deriving the usual advantages from position. If, however, 

 we take the country between Tiverton and Bradninch, where beds 

 of the red sandstone are mingled on the surface with those of the 

 carbonaceous series, at equal heights and under similar general 

 conditions as to climate, or that near Cadbury and Stokeleigh 



