lived in countless millions in the upper part of a clear, warm sea. As 

 they died, their limey framework fell to pieces somewhat resembling 

 the patches of a football case. Many broke into individual crystals. 

 In the course of countless ages these plant remains formed layers of 

 chalk on the sea floor, which were later raised by earth movements and 

 worn by sea and weather into the hills and cliffs we see today. 



The scenery of the chalk countryside inland is in its way as distinctive 

 as the renowned White Cliffs overlooking the Dover Strait. While the 

 Gault has been worn into the long Vale of Holmesdale, the porous chalk 

 has resisted erosion and the North Downs present a steep scarp face to 

 the southwest and to the heart of the Weald. 



Following the original dome structure, early rivers of this area 

 drained away to the north and in so doing cut valleys in the gentle dip 

 slope. Some of these have cut deeply to break through the scarp face, 

 as the Stour or Elham valleys, while others like that in which Alkham 

 nestles are much less advanced, but all have the attractive softly rounded 

 outlines of chalk scenery. 



Inevitably, however, the shoreline is a major attraction both for the 

 holidaymaker and for the geologist and physical geographer who recognise 

 innumerable features of interest. To the west lies that incomparably 

 individual area, that fifth quarter of the globe, Romney Marsh, where 

 man continues the battle to protect land from the sea. Behind the long 

 shingle ridges formed by the deposition of material eroded from cliffs 

 to the west of Rye, the Marsh has been formed both through the natural 

 silting action of such rivers as the Rother and through artificial reclam- 

 ation or inning, probably started in Roman times. The explanation of 

 the sharply pointed or cuspate shape of Dungeness is generally attributed 

 to the fact that owing to the proximity of the French coast no large waves 

 reach it from a southeasterly quarter, whereas powerful waves from the 

 south-southwest throw up the pebble ridges of Camber, and others 

 from the east -northeast shape the eastern shore. The sweeping curve 

 of the latter can best be seen from the vantage point by the Martello 

 Tower at the western end of the Leas. 



The solidly constructed wall backing the broad sands at Dymchurch, 

 the massive concrete sea defences between Hythe and Sandgate, and the 

 regularly spaced groynes designed to prevent the steady eastward move- 

 ment of beach material resulting from the prevalent set of the tide, 

 all show that the sea is a powerful complicating influence along this 

 coast. East of the Leas, Folkestone harbour pier has baked the long- 

 shore drift and as a result a large area of shingle has accumulated near 

 the bathing pool, while beyond are the East Cliff sands, Warren, and 

 chalk cliffs already described. 



From this brief survey it should be abundantly clear how varied is 

 the physical background of this region, a variety which is reflected by 



