M2 IRambles wttb nature Stubents 



from the roof in graceful folds ; it was so translucent that 

 the light of a torch, held by the guide, shone through 

 as though it were formed of horn or tortoise-shell. 



Alabaster is another form of limestone ; this is a 

 sort of calcareous spar, soft enough to be easily carved 

 into statuettes and other ornaments. 



Some years ago, when I was visiting a little seaside 

 resort called Blue Anchor in Somersetshire, I was 

 much interested in observing that a part of the sea 

 cliff there contained a vein of alabaster of various 

 shades of pink and red. Although it is found in 

 many places in England in strata in the earth, or in 

 caverns, I do not know of any other locality where 

 alabaster can be seen and obtained so easily as at this 

 particular spot. 



As I am only trying to point out a few interesting 

 geological specimens which my readers may find for 

 themselves, I will pass over the various kinds of 

 marbles forms of limestone which need to be quarried 

 out of the earth, and which are seldom to be met 

 with in a day's ramble. 



Where building operations are going on we may 

 often obtain small pieces of the Bath, Portland or 

 Caen stone, which are used so much for pillars and 

 ornamental sculpture. 



The additional names of oolite and roe-stone have 

 been given to these forms of limestone, because they 

 appear to consist of small round grains or eggs, such 

 as compose the roe of a fish. 



PALESTINE OAKS 



When we read of the oak trees mentioned in 

 Scripture we are apt, very naturally, to picture 

 them with large, bright green leaves of the size 



