THE GEOLOGY OF MOW COP, CONGLETON 

 EDGE, AND THE SURROUNDING DISTRICT. 



BY J. D. SAINTER. 



AFTER having had the honour and privilege of con- 

 ducting the geological investigation of this locality so far, 

 and having pointed out and explained some interesting 

 sections of the different strata we have passed over, 

 probably it will be as well if I enter a little further into 

 the subject, since I daresay some of my hearers are strangers 

 to this neighbourhood. In the first place I would remark 

 there is not much doubt these gentlemen will have already 

 perceived during our ramble that the red rock fault plays 

 a very important part in the geology of this district. This 

 fault commences a little to the north of Stockport, cuts 

 right across East Cheshire, in almost a direct line, and 

 terminates at a point near Talk-on-the-Hill, Staffordshire, 

 a distance of thirty miles. Along this line of break, nearly 

 throughout its whole length, there is a very remarkable 

 contrast in the physical features of the country, owing, 

 for the most part, to the difference in geological structure. 

 Its eastern aspect consists of the carboniferous strata, 

 forming lofty hills with bleak and barren moorland, bold 

 escarpments, and sharp cliffs, which are varied by deep 

 dells and long, broad, basin-like valleys ; while immediately 

 upon the western side of the fault we stand upon the 

 well-wooded and highly-cultivated Triassic plain of Cheshire, 



