350 GEOLOGY OF THE ISLE OF PURBECK. 



suddenly turn upwards in a curve, forming nearly 

 a quarter of a circle, and abut against vertical 

 strata of the same kind ; " the vertical layers of 

 flints meeting the bent part of the chalk, as so 

 many ordinates would meet a curve, and decreas- 

 ing in height as they get more under it."* (See 

 lign. 28. Handfast Point). This appearance, as 

 Mr. Conybeare has clearly shown, is attributable to 

 a fault or dislocation, which in part of its course 

 coincides with the lines of stratification. The 

 chalk in the curved and vertical strata is extremely 

 indurated, but in the horizontal, is of its usual 

 consistence. The vertical flints, like those in the 

 Isle of Wight, are, for the most part, shattered 

 {ante, p. 202), and the fragments separated from 

 each other by the chalk. These flints do not fall to 

 pieces in the hand, like those of Freshwater, Culver, 

 &c. because the severed portions are firmly held 

 together by the chalk in which they are imbedded ; 

 but there is the same variety in the size and form 

 of the fragments, from large angular pieces to fine 

 powder.f 



* Geology of England and Wales, p. 110. 



t These appearances were first pointed out by Mr. Webster, whose de- 

 scriptions will be found as faithful as they are lucid, by those who visit the 

 scenes he has so exquisitively portrayed in the beautiful illustrations of Sir 

 Henry Englefleld'a work. These phenomena may be most easily examined 

 on the south side of the cliff at Handfast Point, where the shore is gener- 

 ally strewn v. itli large masses of fallen chalk. 



