Ml. 39.] MURCHISON. 83 



tramp over any formation, but the less argillaceous it is the 

 better. 



I will leave it to Sharpe to fight the battle about dinner. All 

 I stipulate for (Farnham being my prompter) is, that you will 

 allow us breakfasts. What do you think of Oxford, commencing 

 with Cumnor Hurst, and so looking up the old Doctor [Fitton] 

 over his Headington, Garsington, Hazeley, Tetsworth, and Thame 

 sections, and so on to Tring ? 



I shall not be able to be at the next " Geological " ; but should 

 it be proposed to renew the walk of the last year or two, I will 

 join the force any day, anywhere, you may name. 



Do not let my suggestion as to the district influence you. I 

 am such a wanderer in our wide field that any district will 

 come alike to me. Ever yours very truly, 



E. A. C. AUSTEN. 



The next letter is from another geologist, also with a 

 request for Joseph Prestwich to join in an excursion : 



Sir E. I. Murchison to J. Prestivich. 



16 BELGRAVR SQUARE, April 14. 1851. 



MY DEAR Sm, Would it suit your book to make a run of a 

 day or two to the other side of the Weald, looking at a few points 

 by the way, and at some of the transverse splits in the S. Downs ? 



I intend to look at the valley of the Cuckmere, E. of Brighton, 

 and at the " Wealden Drift " of Barcombe, mentioned by Mantell 

 and Lyell. 



I think of going on Thursday next. I shall probably return by 

 the other side of the county vid Pulborough and Guildford. 



It would be gratifying to me to have a playfellow like yourself 

 for a part, at all events, of my tramp ; and if you have a little 

 holiday, you may not dislike to employ it to some extent in this 

 way. Ever yours, BOD. I. MURCHISON. 



The careful research necessary for the elaboration of 

 his Tertiary papers also aided him largely in the 

 acquisition of his knowledge of the permeable and 

 impermeable strata, and of the action of springs and 



