1855.] HULL ON THE COTTESWOLDS. 487 



the great majority point 12° N. of W. There are also a few which 

 cannot be referred to either of these systems. 



As far as the evidence goes, it tends to prove that the north faults 

 are of earlier date than those at right angles to them, inasmuch as 

 the second are generally terminated by the first. This, however, is 

 a point of much uncertainty. 



With regard to numerical proportion, the east and west series 

 greatly exceeds those of other directions. They generally run in 

 approximately straight lines, and the degree of parallelism they pre- 

 serve over the entire area is most remarkable. When engaged in 

 mapping the geologic'al formations, I was often much assisted by the 

 knowledge which I soon acquired of the regularity in point of 

 direction maintained by the majority of the lines of dislocation. The 

 opposite diagram (fig. 7) represents their directions and numerical 

 proportions. 



Diluvial and Erratic Fhcenomena. 



Ancient Sea-beach. — The diluvial deposits of the Vale of Glou- 

 cester have already been very fully illustrated by the labours of Sir 

 R. I. Murchison *, the late Mr. Strickland f, and Prof. BuckmanJ. 

 To their observations I have only to add, that there are appear- 

 ances which indicate that an ancient sea-beach formerly extended 

 along the base of the cliffs formed by the Inferior Oolite. In this 

 position there are to be found patches of oolitic debris, in the state of 

 a fine gravel, waterworn, and stratified more or less horizontally. The 

 best section with which I am acquainted is at the base of the cliffs 



Fig. 8. — Section of Lechampton Hill, showing the position of the 



Ancient Sea-beach. 



a. Cliff of the Inferior Oolite. e. Upper Lias. 



b. Inferior Oolite sand. ae. Shingle-beach. 



* See * Geology of Cheltenham,' and ' Silurian System.' 



t Communications to the Geological Society; and 'Geology of the line alono- 

 the Gloucester and Birmingham Railway.' J ' Ancient Straits of Malvern.' 



