900 BEroKT— 1888. 



The papers hitherto prepared are very Taluable ; but they are uncon- 

 nected, and do not give the means of enabling us to promote a system 

 of protection on all parts of our coasts. It seems essential that the infor- 

 mation, to be practically useful, should point out how a connected line of 

 proceeding and operation could be formed to prevent the wearing away 

 of land and the utilisation of the coasts by the formation of harbours of 

 refnge for all kinds of protection of commerce, and local communication 

 for trade and agriculture as well as for navy purposes, and for works 

 for promoting intercourse for remote districts. 



Two debates took place in the House of Commons in 1887 upon the 

 question as to the means by which works adapted to this object might 

 be carried out, and under the sanction and direction of the Government. 



In the course of the discussion reference was made to a system by which 

 the works should be carried out and conducted. It was stated also in the 

 course of the discussions that it was not intended to cast any censure 

 upon the Public Loan Commissioners, but it was intended to point out 

 and indicate that in the opinion of the House the Harbour Depart- 

 ment of the Board of Trade was as well qualified to deal with such 

 questions, and to give a technical opinion of requirements and necessities 

 of certain localities for harbours and public works, for the purposes of 

 trade and other necessities, and for the security and wants of all classes. 



Although the foregoing suggestions and remarks refer mainly to 

 harbours, it seems desirable that the question should include large 

 harbours, and shelters and defence works as well. Much benefit would 

 result from the accommodation and protection of the fishing interests as 

 well as from other facilities for trade if properly assisted and promoted. 



C. Notes on the Coast-line from Penarth to Perth Cawl, in 



Glamorganshire. 



By Hoeace B. Woodward, F.G.S., 1887. 

 At Penarth headland the cliffs are composed of the following strata : — 



Lower Lias— Marls, limestones, and shales . (about) 

 Rh^tic Beds — Grey marls 



Black shales ...... 



Grey marls .... (about) 



Keuper — Red marls. 



The cliffs are nearly vertical and attain a height of 200 feet, the church a little 

 way inland being 234 feet. 



The mass of the cliffs is formed of crumbling marl, so that there is a constant 

 falling of material, though on so small a scale that no great difference has been 

 made in the course of the past twenty or thirty years. At the same time these small 

 shoots of marl render it somewhat unsafe for anyone to walk close under the cliffs 

 or to linger there in geological study. The beds occupy a synclinal, slightly faulted 

 in places, and broken and slipped near the pathway between Penarth headland and 

 Penarth. 



The beach is made up of fine grains of limestone and pebbles of Red Marl and 

 Lias, also blocks of flat, more or less rolled, slabs of Lias limestone. 



The beach slopes somewhat sharply in places, but no ' fulls ' are observable. At 

 Penarth headland the cliffs are protected by rocky ledges. The tide here rises from 

 20 to 22 feet. 



At Penarth itself a sea-wall and promenade protect the beach for a short distance. 

 To the south an inclined roadway extends to the summit of the cliffs, and this has 

 been in part formed and protected by a bank of grey marl. The beach here at low 

 tide, for three chains in width, is muddy ; and further seaward, for 6 or 10 chains, it 

 consists of mud and boulders, resting on a platform of Red rocks. 



