250 Dr. Berger on the Geology of some parts 



The outline of these hills, is characterized by gradual and suc- 

 cessive swellings and depressions of the ground ; they also offer 

 natural scoops or semi-circular excavations on their acclivities. 

 Though covered v^ith a short grass, they may be called nakcd^ being 

 entirely destitute of timber. 



They rise to a greater absolute elevation than the other beds by 

 which they are accompanied ; so that even at a distance, vv^e may 

 safely conclude the highest bare hills to be chalk. 



This rock is harder than most of those w^ith which it is associated, 

 and in consequence wherever it appears on the coast, the sea-water 

 is in such places, more transparent, and generally of a greater depth, 

 on account of the cliffs being cut off more abruptly. 



The cliffs of chalk assume often the shape of recesses or semicir- 

 cular bays, the outline of which is well defined : such is Freshwater 

 Bay, Lulworth Cove, the Bay of Weymouth, &c. 



In the Isle of Wight, the chalk hills, as far as I could ascertain 

 form a belt across the middle of the island, the greatest breadth of 

 which may be five or six miles. As this belt proceeds westward, 

 it contracts gradually to a point of land deeply indented on the north 

 by Alum Bay, and on the south by Freshwater Bay. On that pro- 

 jecting tongue of land called High Down stands the signal post, the 

 light house further on to the west, and the Needles lower down. I 

 found by the barometer the elevation of the signal house to be 430 

 feet above the level of the sea; that of the light house 379; and 

 of the furthest and most western part of the cliffs, above the Needles, 

 189 feet. 



N.E. — in Freshwater Bay N. by N.E. — towards the Needles at High Down, N.E. — in 

 Hampshire, near Alresford, S.S.E.— at Kimeridge Bay, and generally along the coast of 

 the Isle of Purbeck, E.N.B.— ia the Isle of Portland, E. by S.E. 



