105 



One branch of the subject that we have had much under 

 observation, is the travelling of the boulders, and this, again, opens 

 out in various directions. The extent to which the boulders will 

 travel, owing to marine action and the set of currents is of 

 necessity very obscure, and here we have more negative than 

 positive evidence. For instance, we cannot watch a boulder in 

 its submarine course, but if we find that certain classes of rocks 

 never occur beyond certain limits, though the currents may be 

 favourable, we may fairly assume that the rocks are not hard enough 

 to bear the disintegrating process of the journey. Take for 

 example, an extreme case, which maybe studied at St. Bees; doubtless 

 large numbers of boulders of red sandstone set out southwards from 

 St. Bees Head, but they are too friable to bear the wear and tear 

 of even a short journey, and few sur\dve the first mile of the route 

 except in the form of sand, when their origin would become 

 problematical. I believe it is not yet known definitely to what 

 distance boulders travel on this north-west coast. Have for 

 instance, all the loose boulders on our shores been derived from 

 the boulder clay, or have some portion of them travelled by marine 

 agency? We have an immense proportion of Eskdale granite 

 which gives rise to several questions — Did the boulder clay 

 originally contain so large a proportion of these stones.? or has 

 their hardness preserved them whilst their brethren have been 

 disintegrated ? Have some or any of these travelled from Raven- 

 glass? Again, is there a general roll southwards along the 

 Cumbrian shore? and is the Eskdale granite the best fitted to 

 withstand the wearing influences encountered ? 



We would thus require to assume that a predominance of 

 boulders of one class does not represent their original proportions 

 but merely their superior hardness, which quality alone determines 

 their longevity. All these are questions much easier asked than 

 answered, and much observation will be needed to settle the points 

 definitely. In reference to this part of the subject, it would be very 

 desirable to know the various proportions of the rocks forming the 

 boulders at points all along the coast, but so far the Barrow Field 

 Club have not begun the collection of these data. 



