WHITBY. 141 



In the line of the Harbour at Whitby occurs a considerable 

 dislocation of strata, such that they are depressed on the western 

 side, as compared with the eastern, about 150 feet. There is no 

 alum shale seen on the western side for a great distance, but 

 the shore is sandy, and offers some convenience for bathing. 



For about two miles west of Whitby this character of the shore 

 continues, and the cliffs, which are low, are mostly composed of 

 sandstone covered by drift. This part of the coast is in fact 

 depressed by faults. Beyond their range, at Sandsend, the cliffs 

 of lias rise again, and have tempted the establishment of alum- 

 works. From this part of the shore a fine Plesiosaurus has been 

 obtained for the Earl of Mulgrave. From this point some part 

 of the lias is seen in every cliff to the west as far as Redcar. 

 Gritstone covers it from Sandsend to Kettleness, where again 

 alum-works are established, and at the highest point stands 

 375 feet above the sea. At the base of the cliff the remarkable 

 ironstone bands, which were noticed at Robin Hood's Bay, oc- 

 cur, and form projecting scars. 



In the romantic little bay of Runswick, a part of the lias 

 shale which lies over these ironstones, and is more compact than 

 the rest, stands prominent, and is excavated by the sea into 

 ' arched rocks/ 



The cliffs between Runswick and Staithes have the general 

 character of a lias base with a sandstone covering, rising at the 

 utmost to 321 feet high. This point is marked by tumuli, which 

 perhaps might reward the labours of the antiquary. Near 

 Staithes the cliffs descend; the sandstone cap is removed, and 

 the ironstone series again becomes prominent. It is crossed by 

 faults ; one of them coincides with the mouth of the little stream 

 which gives life and picturesque beauty to Staithes. 



No better station than this can be selected for exploring the 

 sections or gathering the fossils of the Lias. On the east the 

 upper lias and ironstone series ; on the west the upthrown marl- 

 stone and lower lias are easily examined; and by proceeding 

 only a mile to the west, the great Cuff of Boulby is reached 



