28 SEASIDE DIVINITY. 



way exhibit the Devonian formation, interrupted 

 at certain districts by granitic rocks. 



Continuing our investigation on the English 

 side of the Solway Firth, we find the geological 

 phenomena are those of the Palaeozoic epoch, like 

 those of the Southern and Central districts of 

 Scotland, such as the Silurian, Devonian, and 

 Carboniferous systems. Magnesian limestone, to 

 which the term Permian is applied, constitutes 

 the cliffs at Maryport ; at Whitehaven and Wor- 

 kington the sea-shores are formed of the Carboni- 

 ferous strata, the coal mines reaching far under 

 the sea ; and at St. Bees the same system is con- 

 tinued covered by the Permian formation. Be- 

 yond this point the coal formation is succeeded by 

 the Silurian strata; and upon entering on the 

 coast of Lancashire, marine detritus and alluvium 

 forming the tertiary strata, are discovered. Cross- 

 ing from Liverpool to Birkenhead, the New Ked 

 Sandstone formation called the Trias appears, suc- 

 ceeded to the southwards by the Carboniferous 

 strata. The Welsh coast affords illustrations of 

 the Silurian system, as at the Menai Straits and 

 at Holyhead. At Carnarvon Bay the cliffs are 

 formed of mica and chlorite schists, and in Cardi- 

 gan Bay the strata consist chiefly of slate asso- 

 ciated with the igneous rocks. On the southern 

 shores of Wales the coal measures are again mani- 

 fested, and on the southern shores of the Severn 

 the coal formation alternates with the Devonian, 

 which is the peculiar characteristic of Devonshire. 



The vast extent of sea-shore, the leading geolo- 



