82 DESCRIPTION OF THE STRATA. 



in the sandstone beds; the latter, as might be expected, being much 

 broken and dislocated. On examining the ground above Cayton mill, 

 and from thence in the direction of Scarborough, we see where the 

 longitudinal fissure has taken place. The surface of the part that has 

 slipped down forms an extensive platform, containing many acres of 

 pasture ground, while the front of the solid strata from whence it has 

 descended, appears as a lofty cliff beyond it. Here the beds, from 

 which the sandstone in the sea cliffs below has been separated, may 

 be seen in their proper place. They correspond, as was intimated, 

 ■with the lower beds of the Filey Bridge series; which, though they 

 appear to run out in the top of the cliff to the east of Cayton, are 

 no doubt continuous in the interior. The sandstone is chiefly sili- 

 ceous, and contains, in many places, imbedded fragments of charcoal. 

 In this respect it corresponds with several of the lower beds of sand- 

 stone in this district ; with some of which it also agrees, in the irregu- 

 lar appearance assumed by many parts of the beds, which instead of 

 being parted by horizontal seams, are traversed by diagonal or irregu- 

 lar lines, dividing the stone into wedge-shaped blocks, and amor- 

 phous masses of various forms. 



It will be proper to observe, that the surface of the ground that 

 lias sunk, is in some places lower behind than in front; and, as these 

 low places ai-e receptacles for Avater, we find there some pools and 

 marshes ; a phenomenon very common wherever any recent slip has 

 taken place. About twenty years ago, a large portion of a hill near 

 Kirkby Knowle, in the skirts of the Hambleton hills, slipped down 

 into the valley; and, the surface of the detached part being lower 

 behind than in the front, a pool of water has been formed in the 

 hollow. 



In tracing the strata between Cayton and Scarborough, we soon 

 meet with another derangement, probably of a much more ancient 

 date than the Cayton slip; for, between the White Nab and the Spaw, 



