274 EVIDENCES OF DILUVIAL ACTION AT BELSAY, Wc. 
portions of the surface. Many of the furrows were six inches 
in depth. 
On looking around in hopes of finding some explanation of the 
cause of this phenomenon, we perceived that the mass of earth and 
rubbish, resting upon the lowest part of the quarry, was filled with 
stones of various sizes—from about a yard in diameter to a few 
inches. Lying upon the surface of the quarry, were several large 
blocks of too great size for the workmen to remove, and which 
were consequently left remaining there to be broken up. The 
whole of these had their edges and angles completely worn down 
and were scatched on all sides and in every direction, and were 
frequently also polished ;—evidently a proof that in causing the 
scratches and grooves on the surface of the quarry, they had 
likewise mutually rubbed and ground each other to the state in 
which we found them. 
As these Boulders are, I believe, all of the same limestone az 
the quarry, and similar beds among the Cheviot Hills, we may 
fairly presume that they have not been transported from any 
considerable distance. 
Along the whole of the road from Newcastle to Ponteland, 
blocks similarly scratched and polished may be seen among the 
heaps of stone, brought from the bed of the river Pont, for the 
purpose of mending the roads. 
At the mouth of the Tyne, several large blocks exhibit mark- 
ings of the same description, which must have been produced by 
the same agency,—whatever that may have been. Several of 
the party here present, may remember Mr. Carr's directing the 
attention of the Club to these blocks, on the occasion of our meet- 
ing at Tynemouth. 
The solution of the causes which have produced effects so 
wonderful and so extensive, 1s a subject of the greatest interest 
to the Geologist, and one which has created considerable discussion. 
That the “ Boulders,” which are found, in England, extending 
from Cumberland, through Yorkshire, to as far south as Hun- 
tingdonshire-—and known by the name of the “ Northern Drift,” 
—were conveyed by some mighty torrent from the North-West 
is generally admitted ;—but whether we can consider the “ Drift” 
