CHAPTER IV. 
GEOLOGICAL VIEW OF WORTHING AND ITS VICINITY. 
WorruineG, which is in the parish of Broadwater, has sprung up 
within a few years to a large town. In summer it is frequented by 
visitors, and many families reside in it through the winter. The air is 
mild, and well-calculated as a winter residence for delicate persons. 
The sea formerly gained much on the shore, but about thirty years 
ago extensive groins were placed opposite the town, which have pre- 
vented its further approach. A little to the east, at the spot where the 
Blockade station was situated in 1845, the sea encroached so rapidly, 
that in less than twelve months seventy feet of land was destroyed. 
The chalk is seen on the coast covered by a very superficial deposit of 
sand and flints. The sands are very celebrated, and no place in En- 
gland is better suited for bathing. The most beautiful specimens of 
chalcedonic sponges are collected on the shore, and occasionally rolled 
specimens of palm-wood, some of which are figured on the Plate 
illustrative of the geology of Worthing. The teeth of elephants, and 
rolled specimens of older formations are occasionally met with. Re- 
cent specimens of crustaceans are very abundant on the grass-banks 
off this place ; they have been noticed by my friend Thomas Bell, Esq., 
F.R.S., in his beautiful work on ‘ British Crustacea’; the coast is also 
well-adapted for dredging, and many rare recent Echini, Asteria, 
sponges, &c. may be taken. 
The situation of Worthing and its vicinity affords a good opportu- 
