Chalk Bluffs ef Trimminghaiu. 311 



It will thus be seen that the disturbance of the chalk has 

 resulted in the production of a double set of curves, the axes 

 of which are at right angles to one another. 



Several interesting questions are suggested by the position 

 of these elevated outliers of chalk near Trimmingham. 



(1) Are they connected with the chalk scar seen further out 

 on the shore ? 



(2) How did they come to be left in their present isolated 

 position ? 



(3) When was the chalk bent into the curves above de- 

 scribed ? 



Although some have supposed that they were merely large 

 fallen or detached masses, like those in the cliffs west of 

 Cromer, yet the most competent observers are of a different 

 opinion. Thus, in the description above quoted, Mr. E,. C. 

 Taylor distinctly states them to be continuous with the 

 solid chalk below, as if he spoke from actual observation in 

 the matter. Sir Charles Lyell inclined to the same opinion. 

 Mr. Gunn also writes me word that he and Mr. Joshua Trim- 

 mer concurred in regarding the masses as fixtures and not 

 boulders ; and, finally, Mr. Fisher and Mr. Reid have observed 

 that a particular layer of grey chalk is visible both in the cliff 

 and on the foreshore opposite ; so that little doubt can remain 

 on this point. 



With respect to the second question, several explanations 

 have been put forward. Sir Charles Lyell seems to have 

 regarded the masses of chalk as " protuberances " thrust up- 

 ward into the overlying beds by the action of subterraneous 

 forces ; even in 1840 he speaks of being confirmed in his 

 opinion, that both chalk and drift had been subjected to a 

 common movement. 



Mr. S. V. Wood, Jun., appears to have held a similar view, 

 and even ventured to insert a fault at this point in his coast- 

 section published in 1865. Whether he is still of the same 

 opinion I am not aware ; but it does not appear that he ever 

 actually observed such a fault, and its existence can hardly 

 now be maintained. 



Mr. O. Fisher has suggested that the elevation and con- 

 tortion of the chalk may have been due to a kind of " creep," 

 like that in coal-mines, in consequence of the pressure exercised 

 by the superimposed glacial beds* ; but it seems unlikely that 

 the weight of the overlying sands and clays could ever have 

 been sufficient to affect the solid chalk to such an extent as this 

 hypothesis demands. Moreover Mr. Fisher admits that there 



* Geol. Mag. vol. v. p. 550. 



