SOUTH-EASTERN DIVISION OF SUSSEX. 17 



their vicinity. The whole tract rises with a gradual sweep from the foot 

 of the Downs, and unites with the higher lands of the forest ridge. 



The FoREST-KiDGE constitutes the north-eastern extremity of the 

 county. It is composed of the more elevated portions of the sand 

 formation, and from the rocky and abrupt termination of its ridges, which 

 are for the most part either crested with forests, or overgrown with 

 underAvood, forms a tract of country remarkable for its romantic and 

 picturesque scenery. The principal heights in this range are Wych Cross, 

 Brighthng Down, Dane's Hill, Fairlight Down, and Crowborough Beacon ; 

 the last mentioned is the highest and most central eminence, and is 804 

 feet above the level of the sea. 



" The climate in the western part of the maritime division is very 

 warm, and highly favourable to the poAvers of vegetation. The Downs 

 fronting the south-west are bleak, being exposed to violent winds, which 

 are impregnated with saline particles, occasioned by the spray beaten 

 against the sea-beach ; and this influence affects the animals as well as 

 vegetables indigenous to the hills. In the Weald the due circulation of 

 air is greatly impeded by the forests and thick hedges, and the climate is 

 in consequence cold and damp *." 



Such are the geographical features of the masses which compose the 

 county of Sussex ; but as our present investigation has a more immediate 

 reference to the south-eastern division, it will be necessary to point 

 out with greater precision the course and position of the chalk hiUs of 

 that district, and more especially of those in the vicinity of Lewes and 

 Brighton. 



The South Downs are that portion of the Sussex range which hes 

 between Eastbourne and Shoreham. They are twenty-six miles long, 

 about seven miles in breadth, and are divided by the intervention of 

 rivers into four groups. 



The easternmost rises with a gentle slope near Eastbourne, proceeds 

 inland as far as Folkington, and is separated from the middle division by 



* Dallaway's Western Sussex, page 6. 



