INTRODUCTION. xi 



The Q. sessiliflora is found in various parts of the county, 

 for example near Cowfold and Cuckfield, and in several 

 parts of St. Leonard's Forest, as at Coolhurst and Slaugham, 

 and to the westward at Goodwood. This oak, though 

 undoubtedly indigenous, but not so common in Sussex as in 

 some other counties, is said to have been largely increased 

 by the introduction into some parts of England, several 

 ages ago, of large importations from the Continent, 

 especially from the forests of Germany. It has been said 

 that the numerous complaints of our ships being infected 

 with what is generally called dry-rot were owing to the 

 introduction of this species into our naval dockyards, where 

 the distinction Avas not even suspected until a very few years 

 since. However this may be when it is used in so confined 

 a situation as the hold of a ship, it has been indisputably 

 proved that the timber of Quercus sessiliflora is exceedingly 

 durable in places exposed to a free current of air ; for the 

 roofs of many of our oldest buildings, for example, those of 

 Westminster Hall and St. Alban's Abbey, are certainly built 

 of it, though the timbers had been long mistaken for Spanish 

 chestnut, and are still found to be in good condition ^. 

 With respect to the belt of sand, which extends from near 

 Petersfield, on the borders of Hants, to Pevensey Level in 

 the east of Sussex, a considerable extent of the western 

 portion of it is occupied by heath. Other jiarts, however, 

 are capable of the highest cultivation. 



Having now given a slight sketch of the interior of the 

 county, I pass to the coast, which, from Brighton to East- 

 bourne, consists of cliffs rising to various heights from the 

 former town till they attain their greatest elevation, some 



* See a paper read by Mr. "Wyatt Papworth, at a meetino- of the 

 Eoyal Institute of British Architects, held on June 14, 1853, and 

 observations by the same gentleman at another meeting of that body on 

 May 20th, 1878. 



