43 



generally lower level than the surrounding rock masses. All 

 along the back or strike of this disturbed line north of Frampton, 

 the influence of the fault is distinctly traceable by depressed 

 ground, deeply stained red, from the quantity of oxidized ore 

 that occurs along its course, and the occurrence of fresh pieces 

 which the plough and agricultural pursuits constantly bring to 

 the surface. And again, it has been determined at several 

 places north of Trampton, by the process of costeening, or 

 transverse cuttings, made east and west, to intersect its north 

 and south bearing. At Mudge Down, Doles Farm, Eange- 

 worthy, and Bagstone Farm, this extensive line of fracture 

 clearly continues as a productive lode, and is situated in the 

 Pennant all along its course to Sweethouse. (See sect. Fig. 1.) 

 It is traceable also, though apparently not so productive, on the 

 western side of Wickwar Heath, to Ashworthy, and on to the 

 Millstone Grit at Tapwell Bridge, where I should expect it 

 would be richer than in the Coal measures. At some places 

 along its course (at Doles Farm and Rangeworthy) it is covered 

 by the New Eed Sandstone, though still distinctly traceable by 

 the depression of the land and highly ferruginous line of country. 

 The system of deep drainage tends towards Iron Acton and 

 Frampton from the west, north, and east, and apparently along 

 the courses of the faults, and hence the volume of water 

 concentrated at the Iron mines of Frampton CottereU. This 

 doubtless has also been one of the causes of the quantity, 

 richness, and concentration of the ores in this more immediate 

 region for ages — even since the removal of the great mass of 

 the overlie, or superincumbent mass of New Eed Sandstone, by 

 denudation. And I doubt not but that now large deposits of 

 the Oxides of Iron in suspension are taking place through 

 infiltration, and deposited along the sides of the fissures, &c., 

 through the highly charged or saturated condition of the waters 

 which take their rise in the Carboniferous Limestone, MiUstone 

 Grit, Coal Measures, and New Eed Sandstone, to the north, and 

 all around that area of the basin. 



The second named fault (the continuation of the " Eam Hill,") 

 lies to the east of the Eangeworthy line, and parallel to it ; and 



