210 GEOLOGY OF TUE ISLE OF WIGHT. 



exemplified in the hills before us, would be the 

 natural result of such operations. 



From Freshwater-Gate to Compton Bay. 

 — The road to Compton Bay sweeps round the 

 southern slope of Afton Down ; the pedestrian 

 should take the path along the edge of the cliff to 

 Compton Chine, where a narrow track leads to 

 the sea-shore. As we approach this spot a fine 

 view is obtained of the line of coast from the bay 

 to beyond Brook Point, as is shown in the slight 

 sketch, PL XI. The foreground is part of the 

 southern slope of Afton Down, consisting of 

 flinty chalk ; and the foot-track to the Chine is 

 seen crossing it on the right. The cliffs in this 

 view are composed of the clays, shales, and sands of 

 the Wealden, which continue to near Atherfield 

 Point. The nearest headland is Brook Point, the 

 western boundary of Brook Bay ; and the one im- 

 mediately beyond is the eastern limit of the same. 

 The ledges of rock extending from the foot of 

 Brook Point into the sea, are chiefly composed of 

 petrified trees. The most distant cape is part of 

 the greensand cliffs, near Blackgang Chine; and 

 the lofty range on the horizon is St. Catherines 



mu. 



Compton Chine is a deep chasm worn in the 

 ferruginous sands by a stream that falls from 



