so MAM TOR, NEAR CASTLETON. 



The most casual observer, following the lines of the work, 

 will note the weakness of the defence at the northern apex, 

 where the modem entrance is shown at " B." The precipi- 

 tous slope which guards the rest is lacking here, and one is 

 tempted to think there must have existed an outer protection of 

 which no evidence remains, or that some other fort rendered 

 assault at that point unlikely or impossible. An interesting 

 feature is the break through the inner rampart on the western 

 side, leading, by a causeway over the fosse, to the outer bank, 

 thus enabling the occupants to rush to its defence on occasion. 



In numerous fortresses, timber stockades or palisades crowned 

 the earthen ramparts, but here, stone would be so much more 

 available, that it is highly probable a rough, dry-built wall of 

 stones may have been placed along the outer edges of the 

 tops of both inner and outer ramparts, the stones having long 

 since found their way into field walls, (a modern wall stretches 

 along the length of the enclosure,) or fallen far below to side, 

 or foot, of the precipitous slope. Though the slipping away 

 of the hillsides at " A " has created picturesque cliffs, the 

 falls are to be deplored, as they have carried down so large 

 a slice of the defensive work, breaking the continuity of the 

 ramparts and fosse. 



The alternative appellation, " Shivering Mountain," is derived 

 from this action of nature, which is well described by Mr. 

 J. D. Sainter in Rambles Round Macclesfield, 1878. 



I am favoured with the following geological note by Mr. 

 W. H. Dalton, F.G.S., formerly of the Geological Survey : — 



" From the top, down 250 feet or thereabouts, the hill consists of Yoredale 

 sandstones, constituting a precipitous face overlooking a steep slope of shales 

 with occasional seams of impure limestone, whilst on the road below, near the 

 old " Blue John " mine, is seen the thick, white limestone that forms the basis 

 of the entire county. 



"The steep slope and precipice are both due to the character of the shale, 

 which is hard, brittle, flaky, and traversed closely by joint-fissures, which 

 absorb water by capillary attraction. Apart from the expansion of this water 

 by frost, the mere lubricant effect of its presence, under the pressure of the 

 overlying mass, tends to perpetual disintegration, covering the slopes with 

 detritus, and giving rise to the local name of the " Shivering Mountain," The 



