SWAN AGE BAY. 349 



the reader of that from Shalcomb to Brook Point 

 (lign. 13, p. 220) ; but in the latter, only the 

 upper wealden beds appear on the south, the 

 lower group not being exposed to view. 



The general dip of the strata is to the north, 

 but the angle of inclination is not uniform, and 

 some of the cretaceous and wealden deposits present 

 flexures and contortions of a very remarkable cha- 

 racter. Before we stroll along the shore to collect 

 specimens, and examine the strata in detail, it is 

 desirable to engage a boat, and sail across the bay, 

 that we may obtain a general idea of the geologi- 

 cal structure of the country. From Swanage the 

 cape or headland of Handfast Point, a chalk cliff 

 350 feet high, appears on the north ; and to this 

 spot we will direct our course. Doubling this 

 promontory we enter Studland Bay,* and perceive 

 that the coast is formed of the upper chalk, which 

 emerges from beneath the eocene strata on the north 

 at a very low angle, and continues round the ex- 

 treme point of the cape, where several pinnacles, 

 that may be regarded as representative of the 

 Needles, guard the coast. A little to the south of 

 this point, the layers of chalk and flint, which are 

 as strongly defined as in Culver Cliff (p. 336), 



* If the section, lign. 28, were prolonged, Studland Bay would appear on 

 the north of Ballard Downs. 



x 2 



