16 GEOGRAPHICAL DESCRIPTION OF THE 



forest, and passing by Steyning and Bramber, enters the British Channel 

 at New Shoreham. 



The Ouse, which is the principal river in the south-eastern part of the 

 county, rises by two branches ; the one has its source in St. Leonard's 

 forest, and the other in the forest of Worth, north of Cuckfield. The 

 river formed by the confluence of these streams pursues a tortuous course 

 to the southward, and passing to the east of Lewes, which it separates 

 from the adjacent town of the ChfF, flows through the flat alluvial tract of 

 Lewes Levels, and discharges itself into the sea at Newhaven harbour. 



The Cuckmere has its source near Warbleton, and being augmented 

 by numerous tributary streams, in its course by Helhngly, Arhngton, 

 Alfriston, &c., falls into the British Channel at the haven which bears its 

 name. 



By these rivers the drainage of the country is effected, and it is worthy 

 of observation, that they invariably flow from an older over a newer 

 country ; or, in other words, that the strata forming the district from 

 whence they take their rise, are of anterior formation to the chalk vallies 

 by which they empty themselves into the ocean. 



The Weald * of Sussex, is an extensive vale that occupies the centre 

 of the south-eastern part of the county, and running parallel with the 

 Downs, forms their northern boundary. It was anciently an immense 

 forest, (called by the earher colonists Coid Jndred, by the Komans, Siha 

 Anderida, and by the Saxons Andreadsimld,) which even in the time of 

 Bede, was a mere retreat for deer and swine ; the greater part is now in 

 an excellent state of cultivation. It consists of various beds of clay, 

 sand, and limestone, and is comparatively of low eletation : its breadth is 

 from 5 to 10 miles, and its length from SO to 40 miles ; it is estimated to 

 contain 425,000 acres. The surface is intersected by numerous vallies, 

 which generally occur at the outcrop or basseting edges of the strata, and 

 form channels for the numerous streams that are tributary to the rivers in 



* " Opposite to the South Downs on the north are the Surrey hills falling abruptly south- 

 ward, and sloping gradually to the north, and between these two lines of hills, is the Weald 

 of Sussex and Surrey." Youngs Agricultural Survey. 



