62 DESCRIPTION OF THE STRATA. 



roestone; which dipping towards the chalt and the shale, in a con- 

 formable position, no doubt rung beneath them. After crossing the 

 stream at Setti-ington, above mentioned, on the south side of Settring- 

 ton, and ascending from it along the Malton rOad, we find ourselves 

 immediately on the oolite, quarries of which are opened on the side 

 of the road. There is no doubt, that the narrow valley marks the 

 line of separation between the shale and the oolite. 



The oolite limestone, and the teds of calcareous sandstone, or 

 sandy limestone, usually attending it, occupy an extensive ralige of 

 hills, surrounding the vale of Pickering, except where it is bounded 

 by the chalk hills. This range, commencing with Oliver's Mount and 

 Seamer moor near Scarborough, and Silphoue moor between Hack- 

 ness and Harwood Dale, proceeds westward by Langdale, Saltergate, 

 Newton, Cropton, Spaunton, Gillimoor, and Hawnby, as far as the 

 Hambleton hills, the highest point of which is' 1246 feet above the 

 level of the sea. The western boundary terminates in the lofty pre- 

 cipices called Rowlston scar and Whitestone cliff, or the White Mare, 

 overlooking the vale of Thirsk. From thence Ihe boundary turns 

 roijnd in a south-east direction, proceeding by Wass bank, above 

 Byland abbey, and by the vicinity of Castle Howard, where the hills 

 become very low ; then crossing the Derwent near Whitwell, passes 

 by Westow, and along the southern skirti^ of the Langton Wolds, till 

 it reaches the chalk hills. 



Thus these limestone hills circumscribe the "(^'hole of the vale of 

 Pickering, except where the chalk projects into it: and, with the 

 exception of the Langton Wolds, where the oolite dips towards the 

 shale and the chalk, they all dip more or less towards that extensive 

 valley; the Seamer hills having a declivity towards the south-vtrest, 

 the long range on the north of the valley dipping south into it, the 

 hills near Kirby Moorside dipping south-east, those to the west of 

 Helmsley dipping east, and those to the south of Helrasley, and from 



