20 FREESTONE. 



Cornua ammonis are very common about this vil- 

 lage. As we were cutting an inclining path up the 

 Hanger, the labourers found them frequently on that 

 steep, just under the soil, in the chalk, and of a 

 considerable size. In the lane above Wellhead, in 

 the way to Emshot, they abound in the bank, in a 

 darkish sort of marl ; and are usually very small and 

 soft : but in Clay's Pond, a little farther on, at the 

 end of the pit, where the soil is dug out for manure, 

 I have occasionally observed them of large dimen- 

 sions, perhaps fourteen or sixteen inches in dia- 

 meter. But as these did not consist of firm stone, 

 but were formed of a kind of terra lapidosa, or hard- 

 ened clay, as soon as they were exposed to the rains 

 and frost, they mouldered away. These seemed as 

 if they were a very recent production. In the chalk- 

 pit, at the north-west end of the Hanger, large 

 nautili are sometimes observed. 



In the very thickest strata of our freestone, and 

 at considerable depths, well diggers often find large 

 scallops, or pectines, having both shells deeply 

 striated, and ridged and furrowed alternately. They 

 are highly impregnated with, if not wholly composed 

 of, the stone of the .quarry. 



LETTER IV. 



TO THE SAME. 



As, in last letter, the freestone of this place has 

 been only mentioned incidentally, I shall here be- 

 come more particular. 



This stone is in great request for hearth- stones, 

 and the beds of ovens ; and in lining of lime-kilns it 

 turns to good account ; for the workmen use sandy 



