214 GEOLOGY OF THE ISLE OF WIGHT. 



but feeble resistance to the action of the waves, 

 the destruction effected by the sea during the 

 winter and early spring, when the highest tides 

 prevail, is very great; and the wealden fossils 

 washed out of the cliffs and strewn along these 

 shores are so numerous, that the strand between 

 Compton Bay and Atherfield has yielded a greater 

 number of fossil bones of colossal reptiles than 

 any other part of the Island. In short, these 

 strata and their organic remains impart to this 

 portion of the southern shore so much interest, 

 that it is desirable to postpone a particular account 

 of the wealden deposits for a special excursion to 

 Brook Bay. We will therefore continue our sur- 

 vey of the greensand by proceeding from Compton 

 to Atherfield, and along the Undercliff to San- 

 down Bay, where our investigation of the south 

 coast commenced.* 



The chalk, firestone, and gait of Compton 

 Bay, are not very prolific in fossil remains ; 

 but the greensand yields ammonites, trigoniw, 

 pemce, &c. ; and numerous specimens of the 

 large oyster-like gryphea sinuata, (PL V. fig. 3,) 

 are generally scattered on the sands and shingle at 

 the foot of the cliffs. At the point where the 



" The visitor who would find it more convenient to continue liis observa 

 tions along the cliff to Brook Chine, should refer to chapter ix. 



