VOYAGE ROUND THE ISLE OF WIGHT. 341 



this inland cliff, may be distinguished, if the 

 steamer keeps within the usual distance of the 

 shore. 



Nearing Blackgang, St. Catherine's appears 

 towering above the western termination of the 

 Undercliff. The Sandrock hotel is seen standing 

 on a ledge high up the precipitous escarpment of 

 the greensand, which here forms the sea-cliff (see 

 p. 234), near the foot of the inland cliff of fire- 

 stone ; the latter rises to within 200 feet of the 

 summit, which is nearly 800 feet above the level 

 of the sea. The ruins of the tower of St. Catherine 

 surmount the whole. The white chalk is seen 

 forming the top of the downs, and appearing from 

 the sea as an inconsiderable layer, immediately 

 over Blackgang. 



From Blackgang to Atherfield the cliffs are 

 entirely composed of the greensand, and the 

 general direction of the beds from east to west 

 may be easily traced (see lign. 17, p. 215). The 

 clays and sands along this part of the coast present 

 a very curious appearance. The lower strata are 

 generally dark, indeed, almost black, but the up- 

 permost are of a light ferruginous colour ; and 

 wherever springs are thrown out by the clay part- 

 ings, the cliffs are stained with broad streams 

 of ochreous yellow. This appearance is cor- 



