FACTS AND INFERENCES. 283 



arrangement; and from decisive indications of breaks, elevating the 

 strata on the south side, and sinking those on the north. The nu- 

 merous dales that open into the vale of the Esk from the south, have 

 originated in an equal number of fractures in the strata, aided by 

 denudations of these strata: and in some instances, as at Fryop, and at 

 Danby, there has been a compound fracture, the dale which is single 

 at its upper end, branching into two before it reaches the Esk, and 

 inclosing between the branches a delta-shaped hill, detached from the 

 principal chain. This phenomenon, together with the steepness of the 

 sides of these dales, and the roundness of their upper extremities, must 

 wholly set aside the idea, that they could be hollowed out by the 

 petty rivulets which meander through their rich alluvial bottoms. As 

 a proof that the Esk has not hollowed out its bed, we may also no- 

 tice, that a little below Danby castle, it turns aside to the right, out 

 of what appears its direct course in the valley, and passes through 

 Cronkley Gill, in a deep rocky chasm, the margins of which are 

 much higher than the middle of the vale, through which we m%ht 

 have expected the river to flow, and into which it again returns at 

 Lealholm Bridge. Now, if the river had excavated the middle part 

 of the valley, and formerly flowed there, how could it forsake that 

 natural channel, to cut a circuitous passage through rocky strata, 

 the surface of which is considerably higher than the alluvial vale 

 which, on that supposition, it deserted ? A similar instance occurs in 

 that small branch of the Esk which flows from Tranmire and Stone- 

 gate. A little below Stonegate, the stream bends to the right, and 

 runs in a deep rocky fissure on one side of the alluvial valley ; the 

 middle part of which is left dry, though greatly below the level of the 

 banks of the stream, as if artificial means had been used to turn the 

 rivulet out of its natural course. A third instance, fully more remark- 

 able, occurs in the Esk, near where this stream joins it. The I'iver 

 before arriving at Arucliff, leaves the valley, and -seems to make a 



