119 



lated to check exploration, and consequently to prevent the growth 

 of geological knowledge. It is therefore better in every way that 

 exploratory borings should first be made in ground where there is 

 evidently nothing but Glacial Drift above the St. Bees Sandstone. 

 They may then be tried in the more doubtful ground to the north 

 without risk of undue discouragement, and with the possibility 

 that, owing to faults, or folds in the Carboniferous rocks, a more 

 favourable state of things may be revealed than could fairly be 

 expected. And, whether pecuniarily successful or not, speculative 

 borers in this region cannot fail to add materially to our knowledge 

 of the geology of the most obscure and sectionless district in all 

 Cumberland. 



