ul u rl a an AZ A nn tt u a 2 
GEOLOGICAL FORMATIONS NEAR DUNSTER. 139 
oceurring in such circumstances as to leave no doubt of the 
order in point of time in which they succeeded each 
other. And in the marsh land, extending from Dunster to 
Minehead on the one hand, and to Blue Anchor on the 
other, we have the comparatively very recent allumal de- 
posit, covering over the remains of primxval forests, por- 
tions of the foliage and timber of which are exposed to 
view every day at low water, between Minehead harbour 
and the Warren point. 
These geological formations severally, and as associated 
together, present features of great interest, and in a strik- 
ing manner illustrate and confirm the theories of the 
geologist respecting the physical history of the world. It 
is not, however, my intention to enter upon the great 
problems connected with some of the phenomena which 
this neighbourhood presents; but rather to seize on the 
more striking features, and to endeavour to present them 
so associated and connected together that we may be able 
in some measure to understand the ground over which we 
travel in our excursions, and with more pleasure to contem- 
plate the physical characteristics of the country, and the 
vast and mighty agencies by which, through countless ages, 
these stupendous effects have been produced. 
First, then, in point of time, we come to the Grauwacke, 
or Devonian series, embraeing sedimentary rocks differing 
from each other in some particulars, yet, on the whole, 
presenting common features which enable the close ob- 
server, without hesitation, to refer them to the same 
great epoch. The term sedimentary is applied to this 
series from the undoubted evidence the rock itself affords of 
its being the result of the gradual settling of the sandy 
and mineral matter held in suspension by the troubled 
waters of that period. When, therefore, we enquire into 
