142 THE SEA-COAST. 



the loftiest of all the precipices which guard the English coast 

 (660 feet), and in this formidable cliff the whole series of strata, 

 from the sandstone which caps the upper lias to a certain depth 

 in the lower lias, may be recognized (see p. 138). The alum- 

 works at either end of the highest part of the cliff offer great 

 facilities for this examination. 



From their extreme height in Boulby Cliff the strata descend 

 toward the narrow Valley of Skinningrave, which, at a small 

 distance from the sea, becomes richly wooded, and branches into 

 beautiful glens. These may be well seen from Lofthouse, a large 

 and pleasant village which thrives on the success of the neigh- 

 bouring alum-works in Rockcliff. At Lofthouse, an ancient 

 circular mound and entrenchment, on the western side of the 

 village, merit inspection. At Skirmiugrave the ironstone, already 

 referred to in other places, is now dug for exportation to New- 

 castle. It contains many fossils. A fine Plesiosaurus, found at 

 Lofthouse, has lately been presented by the Earl of Zetland to 

 the Yorkshire Museum. 



Huntcliff, west of Skinningrave, though it does not rival the 

 magnificence of Rockcliff, rears over the sea dark cliffs 360 feet 

 high, and the view of this promontory from the low shore at 

 Saltburn is very striking. 



Saltburn is the point of efflux for small streams which gather 

 in the basin of Guisborough, and flow by Upleatham Hill and 

 the woody valley of Skelton. A conical mound bearing a signal- 

 staff shoots up in the little bay which is formed at the mouth of 

 the stream, and gives a picturesque character to this little fish- 

 ing station. From this point to the Tees mouth are low cliffs 

 of drifted clay or pebbles, resting on lias ; hard, firm, continuous 

 sands spread widely from their foot, replacing the dark scars 

 which abound from Whitby to Saltburn, and yield to the visitors 

 of Redcar matchless rides and beautiful views of the contrasted 

 coasts of Durham and Yorkshire. 



Redcar is pointed out by nature for a harbour of refuge on 

 this dangerous coast, which is very ill-provided with accessible 



