34 A TOPOGRAPHICAL 



GENERAJL TOPOGRAPHY. 



WITH the exception of Carmock-heath, the middle part of the 

 county is for the most part level : this immense waste swells to a 

 considerable elevation, from which issue many streams, that flow 

 in all directions, and afterwards unite in the Trent. 



East of Caunock-heath, and all the way to the Tame, is a tract 

 of light soil, or sandy and gravelly loam ; and east of that river, 

 is ElforcU Wiggintpn, Haselqr, Harlaston, Scieitcott, Thorp-Con- 

 stantine, and Clifton Campville, on a strong or mixed loam, or useful 

 corn and pasture land. Between the Trent and the Dove is Need- 

 wood Forest (lately inclosed), and as far up as Uttoxeter, is a tract 

 of strong or loamy soil ; and again, west of Stafford and Penkridge, 

 and on to Eccleshall and the borders of Shropshire, is a strong or 

 mixed marl or loam. The country south of Cannock-heath is a 

 mixed gravelly loam ; but the part south and west of Wolverhamp- 

 ton is a lighter soil. To the north of Dudley, and again near Wal- 

 sall, are considerable tracts of limestone, some jn elevated cliffs, 

 and others in strata beneath the surface, either in detached parts 

 or solid rock : the limestone in both place* is proved to be nearly 

 upon the same level, by canals communicating between them, and 

 into the heart of the works, at 500 feet abt>ve the level of the sea. 

 Some of the cliffs are considerably above that level, and the under- 

 strata beneath it : petrified marine substances are found both im- 

 bedded in the solid rock, and in the fissures between the strata. 



The North-west of the county from Stone, through Newcastle 

 to Talk-on-th'-hill, and thence to Betley and Drayton, is gene- 

 rally loam, with a varied understratum of sand, gravel, marl, or 

 gritstone rock ; the soil, being the happy medium between the steri- 

 lity of sand and the harshness of clay, is adapted either to tillage or 

 pasture. The country is inclosed with quicksets well planted, the 

 timber trees are luxuriant and of flourishing growth, the meadow 

 and grazing lands covered with a good herbage, and the corn crops 

 have generally a promising appearance : upon the whole, this dis- 

 trict may be termed a fine country, though not without some spots 

 of inferior land. Near Maer-heath, and Ashley Common, may be 



