282 DILUVIUM. 



Eottingdean, (vide Tab. v. fig. 2), reappears on the eastern bank of the 

 landing place (vide Tab. v. fig. S). 



In that portion of the chfis we are now describing, the shingle ter- 

 minates as represented in fig. 2. Tab. v. ; and by a singular coincidence, a 

 bed of flint nodules commences immediately beneath it, and pursuing a 

 horizontal course in the chalk, resembles at a distance a continuation of 

 that bed. It is scarcely necessary to observe, that this apparent identity 

 is a mere illusion ; a bed of rounded pebbles lying upon the chalk, cannot 

 readily be mistaken for a stratum oi perfect chalk flints, still occupying the 

 cavities in zvhich they were originally formed. 



On the west side of the landing place at Eottingdean, the cliff' is low, 

 and its upper part occupied by a mass of chalk rubble, analogous in some 

 of its characters to the calcareous bed, of which it may possibly be a con- 

 tinuation. It is strongly marked with undulating hues, of an ochraceous 

 yellow colour. The chalk on both sides of the gap is more or less 

 disturbed, and the veins of tabular flint are broken and contorted ; this 

 is remarkably the case with those on the eastern bank (vide fig. 3, Tab. v), 

 in which the fragments of flint are detached from each other. The beach 

 near this place contains semitranslucent pebbles of agate, and chalcedony, 

 of a bluish grey colour. These are collected by visitors, and when cut 

 and poHshed, are used for bracelets and other ornamental purposes : they 

 are usually called " Rottingdean pebbles." 



In concluding this description of the cliffs between Brighton and 

 Eottingdean, I would observe, in the words of Mr. Webster, " that it is 

 impossible to view them, without immediately perceiving, that they do 

 not owe their existence to original stratification, but are simply the 

 section of an immense heap of fragments of chalk, and flints, mixed with 

 clay and sand, the whole having, at some distant period, been subjected 

 to the action of water, and deposited upon the solid chalk stratum." 



It would be unjust to close this article, without acknowledging my 

 obligations to Miss Sarah Godlee, of Lewes, for the elegant and accurate 

 sketches of the strata, engraved in Tab. iv. and v. ; and to Mr. Thomas 



