CHAPTER VII. 



PROM YARMOUTH TO FRESHWATER-GATE SCRATCHELLS -BAY VER- 

 TICAL CHALK STRATA — SHATTERED FLINTS — THE CHALK DOWNS — 



CAUSES OF THE PRESENT CONFIGURATION OF THE CHALK HILLS 



FROM FRESHWATER-GATE To COMPTON-BAf — GEOLOGICAL SECTIONS 

 OF THE SOUTHERN COAST PEBBLES AND SHINGLE. 



From Yarmouth to Freshwater-gate. — In 

 resuming our survey of the geological phenomena 

 of the Isle of Wight, we proceed from Yarmouth 

 to Freshwater-gate, on the south-western shore. 

 In a direct line, through the transverse valley of 

 the river Yar, which rises from the northern foot 

 of the downs, the distance hut little exceeds two 

 miles and a half ; but the road makes a consider- 

 able detour to the left, round the eastern border 

 of the estuary. Passing over a gently undulated 

 country of the fluvio-marine eocene strata, and 

 ascending a steep acclivity of tertiary sands, we 

 cross the narrow tract of highly inclined chalk 

 which unites Alton-Downs on the east with High 



