Proceedings. 45 



falHng-off might possibly be found ; on these grounds we 

 believe that the Coal-measures, should they exist under the 

 Secondary Eocks of the South of England, will be found in 

 full force, and in full productiveness." Professor Prestwich 

 also observes, " In the case of the anticlinal axis taking a 

 southern course, we should look for the Coal along a line 

 passing from Eadstock, through the Vale of Pewsy, and thence 

 along the North Downs to Folkestone." 



In 1878, Monsieur Dewalque said " that it was most pro- 

 bable that the dip of these Upper Devonian beds at Meux's 

 was to the south, and that they belong to the extension of the 

 Belgium Northern basin." " The Coal formation may there- 

 fore recur at a short distance south of London, and at a 

 workable depth." In 1880, Professor Hull said, " We must 

 look to the tracts lying south of the Thames Valley as the 

 possible areas of concealed Coalfields." In 1882, Professor 

 Judd stated that the evidence obtained from these borings at 

 Meux's, &c., proves that the rocks forming the old palaeozoic 

 ridge are bent into a series of east and west folds, and among 

 these folds it is highly probable that Coal strata will be found, 

 probably long and narrow basins like those of Belgium and 

 Northern France, having the longer axis directed from east 

 and west. In the same year, Mr. Firket concluded that the 

 westerly underground extension of the Franco-Belgian Coal- 

 basin is South of London. 



From our present knowledge we have a right to infer 

 generally that while older beds rise up in succession north- 

 ward from the neighbourhood of London, southward, on the 

 other hand, the Jurassic beds are likely to thicken, and 

 therefore that the surface of the older rocks will sink in that 

 direction. Professor Whitaker, who has given special 

 attention to the subject, and whose opinion carries great 

 authority, writes : — " One of our greatest Coalfields is in the 

 south, that, namely, of South Wales. Eastward of this, and 

 continuing along the line of great disturbance that has 

 resulted in bringing the older rocks within touch under 

 Loudon, is the Bristol Coalfield. Much farther east again, 

 and still along the same line, are the Coalfields of Belgium 



