Proceedings. Xvii 
An account of the excursion of 1897, to Redhill, &¢., by Miss 
Crosriexp,* gives a detailed section at Frenches sand-pit. 
‘“Holmesdale Towns: A Handbook for Reigate, Redhill, and 
Neighbouring Districts,”+ is undated, which is bad; but a 
reference to something that has occurred since 1897 inclines 
one to give it the latest possible date. 
If often seems to me a pity that the compilers of such useful 
books think it incumbent on them to have a chapter on the 
geology. In the present case, ‘‘ Geological Features” include 
pp. 18-30, but three pages of this are taken up with figures 
utterly ungeologic, and as we are told in the preface that Dr. 
Mantell’s works are the chief authority for the geology, some of 
this part is naturally somewhat out of date. However, the 
modern divisions of the Lower Greensand are noted, the Sand- 
gate Beds being hoisted above the Folkestone Beds (a clear case 
of inversion). No other science is specially treated of, which 
leads me to wonder when folk will cease to think that any 
intelligent person can write an account of local geology. 
According to the definition of the Valley of Holmesdale that 
is given, the term Valley is a misnomer; Vale is more correct 
for such a tract as that, bounded by a certain length of the 
Chalk escarpment on the north, and a certain length of the 
- Lower Greensand escarpment on the south; which tract is cut 
by various valleys. 
In the past ten years, then, it is clear that much has been 
done on the geology of Surrey. 
The two formations for which most work has been done are the 
Drift, in the top part of the scale, and the Lower Greensand in 
the lower part, in our county. This is perhaps owing to there 
having been more opening for fresh work with these than with 
other formations; indeed, the literature of the Lower Greensand 
of Surrey was not very large before the period under review, and 
many new sections have been made since the publication of the 
Geological Survey Memoir on the Weald, by Torney. We have 
greatly to thank Mr. T. Lereuron for a renewed interest in the 
formation which gives rise to the most beautiful scenery of our 
county. In the case of the later deposits classed as Drift, their 
wide occurrence of course leads to more frequent notice, and the 
fact that some of these deposits are connected with the study of 
the antiquity of our race gives them an additional charm to 
many observers. 
Though so much has been done, I have no hesitation in 
assuring you that plenty remains to be done, and that Croydon 
naturalists need fear no dearth of work. 
* Proc. Holmesdale Nat. Hist. Club, for 1896-8, pp. 65, 66. 
+ By T. F. W. Hamilton. 8vo, Reigate, Redhill, and London. 
¢ 
