LONDON CLAY. 267 



XVII. 

 §. III. IL LONDON CLAY. 



This formation consists chiefly of a dark blue clay, which in some 

 localities includes beds of grey limestone and sandstone. 



Eoth the clay and limestone occur in Sussex ; the former constitutes 

 the flat maritime district of the south-western part of the county ; the 

 latter composes groups of rocks on the coast. 



Blue Clay. 



This deposit forms the line of coast from Worthing to Christchurch 

 in Hampshire, extending from the latter place inland, by Kingwood, 

 Komsey, and Fareham ; and passing a mile or two south of Chichester, 

 terminates near Worthing, from whence to Brighton, the surface of the 

 chalk near the coast, is covered with beds of loam, clay, brick earth, 

 gravel, &c.* 



In some parts of its course in Sussex, it contains an abundance of the 

 organic remains for which it is so remarkable. Emsworth and Stubbing- 

 ton, on the confines of the county, have been noticed by Mr. Webster, as 

 abounding in fossil shells. Bracklesham, near Selsea, is equally pro- 

 ductive ; and if I may judge from the hberal contributions of my friends, 

 wiU almost rival the celebrated cHfis of HordweU. 



On the coast westward of Selsea, near Thorney and Bracklesham, vast 

 quantities of fossil shells are washed out of the clay and deposited on the 

 shore, by the action of the waves, particularly after severe storms. This 

 bed of clay is, however, only accessible at low water, and even then but 

 for a very short period. 



* Phillips' Geology, p. 32, edit. 1822. 



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