458 . MINERALOGY. 



nerally dip towards the south, the strata of which is 

 thickest and most inclined in the highest situations. 

 In pursuing our investigations relative to the nature 

 of the rock in the vicinity of Kirkby-Moorside, we 

 may observe that though the substratum which 

 forms the range of hills on which Kirkby Moorside 

 js situated, may be called limestone, it notwithstand- 

 ing consists of alternate strata of limestone, marl, and 

 sandstone, resting on beds of clay slate, of a coarse 

 granular texture, and light grey colour. This slate 

 lies over the upper strata of the sandstone series, 

 which sinks beneath it. 



For the limestone series has the same inclination 

 as the sandstone formation, it dips towards the south 

 till it sinks into the vale of Pickering, beyond which 

 .another series appears in the chalk strata of the 

 Wolds. This limestone is principally of the oolite spe- 

 cies, mixed with strata of the more compact des- 

 cription of various shades of blue, from light blue 

 to that almost approaching to black. 



At Gillamoor, about 3 miles to the north of Kirk- 

 -by-Moorside, is a height called Gillamoor bank, 

 about 500 feet in elevation, which contains a stone 

 of a mixed nature, of a greyish colour, with patches 

 of blue which partake of a mixture of sandstone 

 and limestone ; the blue part contains most calcari- 

 ous matter, and effervesses more freely in acid than 

 the grey. 



Afteryou descend the Gillamoor bank, the ground 

 rises to the moors; here the sandstone appears from 

 under the limestone series and pervades the whole 

 of the moors. This sandstone is more oj Jess sili- 

 cious, it differs in texture and hardness, some soft 

 and friable, and others adapted for the .purpose of 

 building. On a part of the moor, near a place called 

 Park corner, on the west side of Farndale, are 

 nodules of ironstone, of a peculiarly cavernous 

 nature, some of them are like flattened hemispheres, 

 having on the horrizontal side several cells so con- 

 structed as to give you an idea of a lady's work box, 

 with compartments for holding her cotton, &c. At 

 this place are a considerable number of pits, which 



