Geology of Herefordshire, S^c. 37 



this account is the fruit of some months' residence, and exclu- 

 sive and reiterated observation made on the spot, with endurance 

 of much fatigue from pure desire to promote the science, to 

 which I have briefly, but I hope not without improvement ap- 

 plied myself, the accuracy will not probably be suspected. I 

 can only wish it had fallen to the task of some one better quali- 

 fied ; but though a pupil of Dr. Clarke, and one or two other 

 experienced geologists have visited and resided in these districts, 

 I do not know that they have ever given any description in print. 



I shall first mention the stratifications in series, and afterwards 

 supply such observations and explanations as are requisite. 

 Geologists differ so much in the use of the various names for the 

 same thing, that I can only promise to appropriate terms which 

 appear to me most divested of singularity. I commence from 

 the lower formations upwards. 



1st. Sandstone red and green in ponderous masses, every 

 way intersected by vast fissures. 



2nd. An independent and subordinate formation, occasionally 

 encountered in excavating sandstone quarries at the base of 

 mountains. It is very partial in quantity, and irregular in order 

 of position; I conceive it to be formed by a tupha-like infiltra- 

 tion of calcareous matter through the sandstone. It is less com- 

 pact than limestone in general, the fracture, what is called con- 

 choidal. 



3rd. The sandstone grit, or that union of quartz with coarse 

 sand, which is called brecchia, or pudding-stone. 



4th. New sandstone, a more delicate fawn-coloured stone 

 than the red sandstone. 



5th, Over this, and subordinate even to the sandstones and 

 limestones, we find what are improperly called marls ; from the 

 analyses which I have made, they appear to be argillaceous 

 earths with iron and sand. 



6th. Mountain limestone. 



7tlr. Shaly limestone, called by diggers the cropstone, form- 

 ing the cleavage. 



8th. Coal. Thin plates or veins dip under the limestone su- 

 perincumbent upon sandstone, and crop out in slight lines upon 

 the superficial strata as wc follow the dip. 



