Natural History. 455 
ai Landslip. 
To the Eviror of the Journal of Science. 
Sir, 
An example of a landslip, or what in the olden time 
would have been called a walking hill, occurs near Camberwell, 
four miles and a half south of London, at Knight’s Hill, upon 
an estate which was the property of the late Baron Thurlow. 
The ground has been observed for many years to slip or give 
way after a continuance of wet weather; but the autumn of 
1821 being remarkable for a great quantity of rain, has caused 
a greater subsidence than on any former occasion. 
The part that has given way extends in an irregular direc- 
tion on the north and west sides of the hill, seven or eight 
hundred yards in length, and varying from twenty to a hundred 
in breadth, containing altogether about five or six acres. It has 
carried several trees along with it, but they still continue grow- 
ing; the green sward possessing great tenacity, has been thrown 
into most singular contortions, bearing some resemblance to 
old entrenchments. The higher part of the hill is full of rents 
and fissures. The depth of the landslip is apparently about 
two or three yards. 
A long continuance of wet would perhaps be the means of 
extending it over the road which passes at the foot of the hill, 
and upon which it seems to have already encroached in a 
trifling degree. 
Knight’s Hill is part of the London clay formation, and the 
landslip is of course occasioned by the strata underneath not 
being sufficiently porous to carry off the water. 
I have the honour to be, &c. 
J. Fincn. 
London, Oct. 15, 1822. 
