COMPTON CHINE TO BROOK POINT. 273 



p. 215, and to the map (PL XX.), will afford 

 the necessary information as to the geological 

 relations of the strata we are about to examine. 

 As we descend to the sea-shore near Compton 

 Chine, the top of the cliff, to the depth of ten 

 or twelve feet, is seen to be composed of drifted 

 gravel, clay, and loam ; and this alluvial covering- 

 continues for several miles along the coast, forming, 

 as shown in the annexed sketch (PL XIV. p. 274), 

 a horizontal bed upon the edges of the inclined 

 strata of which the lower part of the cliff consists. 

 In this accumulation of drifted materials are 

 numerous trunks of trees and quantities of hazel- 

 nuts, in the usual condition of peat or bog-wood. 

 The trunks are several feet in length, and a foot or 

 more in diameter ; the ligneous substance is very 

 black and soft when first extracted, but hardens 

 after exposure to the air, and some of the wood is 

 so firm in texture as to be employed for various 

 domestic purposes. I could not learn that any 

 bones had been found in this subterranean forest, 

 but I picked up, on a bank hard by, teeth of the 

 horse and deer, which were deeply stained with 

 phosphate of iron, and probably belonged to this 

 alluvial deposit. 



The Wealden strata to the east of their junction 

 with the greensand, principally consist of clays, 



