2 FREESTONE. 



the Hanger, the labourers found them frequently 

 on that steep, just under the soil, in the chalk, 

 and of a considerable size. In the lane above 

 Well-head, in the way to Emshot, they abound in 

 the bank, in a darkish sort of marl; and are usually 

 very small and soft : but in Clay's Pond, a little 

 farther on, at the end of the pit, where the soil is 

 dug out for manure, I have occasionally observed 

 them of large dimensions, perhaps fourteen or 

 sixteen inches in diameter. But as these did 

 not consist of firm stone, but were formed of a 

 kind of terra lapidosa, or hardened clay, as soon 

 as they were exposed to the rains and frost they 

 mouldered away. These seemed as if they were 

 a very recent production. In the chalk-pit, at the 

 north-west end of the Hanger, large nautili are 

 sometimes observed. 



In the very thickest strata of our freestone, and 

 at considerable depths, well- diggers often find large 

 scallops or pectines, having both shells deeply stri- 

 ated, and ridged and furrowed alternately. They 

 are highly impregnated with, if not wholly com- 

 posed of, the stone of the quarry. 



IV. 



As, in last letter, the freestone of this place has 

 been only mentioned incidentally, I shall here be- 

 come more particular. 



This stone is in great request for hearth-stones, 

 and the beds of ovens ; and in lining of lime -kilns 

 it turns to good account ; for the workmen use 

 sandy loam instead of mortar ; the sand of which 

 fluxes 1 , and runs, by the intense heat, and so cases 



1 There may probably be also in the chalk itself that is 

 burnt for lime a proportion of sand ; for few chalks are so 

 pure as to have none. 



