328 Mr. N. Wood on the Geology of Northumberland, &^c. 



Crag, from whence it stretches away towards Howick, near which it 

 passes into the sea, as exhibited in the Coast Section. 



This line exhibits the basset face of the Basalt, dipping south east 

 with the other strata. Throughout the whole of this course we find a 

 few beds of Limestone between the Basalt and the Coal and Limestone 

 previously traced. It is difficult to ascertain the precise number in any 

 instance, but in several places four or five beds may be seen, especially 

 along the north side of the vaile of the South Tyne, above Haydon 

 Bridge ; also on both sides of the North Tyne, near ChoUerford ; and 

 again from Kirkheaton westward. East of the Coquet, the beds of 

 Limestone above the Basalt, and underlying the Coal, may also be trac- 

 ed ; and the Coast Section will shew its position with respect to the up- 

 per strata, though the Slip Dykes, near Howick, prevent the precise 

 number of beds above the Basalt from being ascertained. 



Where the Basalt reaches the sea, the direction of the beds is nearly 

 in the line of the coast, and hence we find the Basalt stretching along 

 the coast for nearly two miles, until we reach Dunstanburgh, the 

 north rise in the beds then throws it out, and the underlying beds of 

 Limestone successively crop out along the coast. Again, however, at 

 North Sunderland, the beds take a contrary dip, and although we can- 

 not ascertain precisely, that the same number of beds, which, near 

 Beadnel, rises up from underneath the Basalt, again dips down, yet, in 

 a position, as nearly the same in the series as we might imagine, we 

 again find the Basalt, near Bamburgh. The direction of the beds here 

 being nearly east and west, the Basalt stretches away westward a con- 

 siderable distance, into the country to Belford, &c. Here again, how- 

 ever, a change in the inclination of the beds takes place, the full rise 

 being neariy west, and accordingly we find the Basalt forming a line of 

 hills, stretching nearly north and south towards Haggerston, when the 

 rise of the beds again verging round to the north, finally throws the 

 Basalt out, and exhibits the central beds of Limestone rising from un- 

 dei'neath. 



That this Basalt is a bed, and not an overlying mass, is proved by 

 beds of Limestone and Shale reposing upon it, in many of the localities 



