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XVII. Observations on the Geology of Norlhumlerland and 

 Durham: and Remarks on Mr. Westgarth Forster'sScc- 

 t'wn of the Strata, with a Skttch of the physical Structure of 

 that Part of En gland, from the German Ocean to the Irish 

 Channel. By Robert Bakewell, Esq. 



To Mr. Tilloch. 



Sir, — 1 PROMISED to send you some observations on the 

 geology of the iioi th-eastern part of England, which various cir- 

 cumstances have prevented me from performing, and the fol- 

 lowing account raav now perhaps be considered superfluous 

 Dr. Thomson having recently published what he denominates 

 A geognostical Sketch of the Counties of Northumberland and 

 Durham. Such, however, is the imperfect state of our informa- 

 tion on various subjects of geological inquiry in our island, that 

 it cannot be deemed presumptuous in any one to suppose that 

 lie may add something to what was before known ; and 1 trust 

 the present letter will not be construed into an attempt to 

 disparage or undervalue the obsertations of those who have pre- 

 ceded me : — nothing can be more remote from my intention. 

 In proportion to the increase of observers will be the probability 

 of attaining certainty in our conclusions. In a letter I received 

 from Dr. Watson, the venerable Bishop of Llandafl^, on the pub- 

 lication of my Introduction to Geology in 1813, this sentiment 

 is so clearly stated, and is so applicable to the present subject, 

 that I shall be excused for transcribing it. 



" The surface of the globe consists of three parts water and 

 but one of earth, yet the accurate delineation of the one part 

 would occupy the labours of all the philosophers in Europe for 

 fifty years. Nothing less than such a delineation can ascertain 

 the connections, interruptions, and mutual dependencies of the 

 several strata which compose its surface. Some are apt to in- 

 quire, What is the use of such investigatioui ? I esteem these 

 njen to be as simple in their notions as the academic youths, 

 who being puzzled in attempting to pass the Ass's bridge in 

 Euclid, ask, Where is the use of going over it ? For my own 

 part, I am so confident of the utility that would attend an accu- 

 rate knowledge of the stratification of this ibland, that I think 

 a work of this kind ought to be undertaken at the pul)lic exf 

 pcnse. The beds and veins of metallic ores, and the beds of 

 coal, limestone, marble, slate, &e. are of such high importance 

 in the present state of society,' that every encouragement should 

 be given to the discovering of them where they are not at present 

 known ; and nothing can more contril)ute to this end, than an 

 accurate knowledge of the manner in which the strata appear to 



Vol , J .3 .No. 202 . Feb.] 8] 5. F the 



