14 Mr. Hopkins on the Structure of the 



It is probable that such a fracture, when of considerable magnitude, would fre- 

 quently be attended with considerable irregularity in the position of the beds im- 

 mediately contiguous to it. Such however would not necessarily be the case ; and 

 we may doubtless assert the converse proposition as far more generally true ; viz. 

 that great irregularity of elevation will be attended with transverse fracture. Con- 

 sequently, while a great and irregular inclination of the beds at any transverse 

 section of a longitudinal range almost necessarily affords evidence of transverse 

 fracture, the absence of such irregularity will be no proof of the non-existence of 

 such dislocation. This conclusion is abundantly corroborated by the phsenomena 

 of the mining districts, where the evidence on such points is so much more de- 

 terminate than in those in which the observations are merely superficial. 



This irregular disturbance of the strata is remarkable along the sides of the 

 transverse valley of the Medway. Near a spot termed Nashes on the Ordnance 

 Map, the dip was between 40° and 50° to the north ; and at a point on the opposite 

 side of the river, and about equidistant from it, I estimated the dip at about 

 30° south-east. At other points the disturbance was equally great and irregular. 

 It is well seen in the large quarries south of Ashour, where the dip is nearly 

 20° to the north-east, which is perfectly anomalous considered with reference 

 to that of the general elevation. These facts leave no doubt, in my opinion, of 

 the original existence of a large transverse fracture which has determined the 

 position of the present transverse valley, and facilitated its formation by aqueous 

 agency. 



I foundsimilar evidence, though not perhapsequally conclusive, near the transverse 

 valley marked by the course of the river from Lamberhurst to the east of Brenchley 

 Hill. I have already noticed the evidence of an anticlinal line at Lamberhurst. 

 The disturbance there is very considerable, as it is likewise at a point on the oppo- 

 site side of the valley and nearly equidistant from it, in the large quarries west of 

 Bedgbury Park, as already noticed, where the dip is between 20° and 30°. Goud- 

 hurst is situated on a hill which borders the valley on the east, and forms a pro- 

 minent feature in this neighbourhood. In ascending it from the south by the road 

 which enters the town, we recognise its origin in a great disturbance, which has 

 given a dip to the beds of about 40° to the south. The disturbance appears to be 

 local and irregular; for on the north-east side of the hill the dip appeared (though 

 not very distinctly) to be considerable and to the north-east ; and about Iden Green 

 (a mile and a half to the east) no indications of disturbance were visible, the beds 

 being there sensibly horizontal, as well as about Cranbrook, a fact already noticed. 

 Hence I conclude Goudhurst Hill to have been due to one of those irregular dis- 

 turbances which indicate transverse fracture. Also about Winchet Hill, the point 

 on the east side of the valley exactly opposite to the eastern extremity of Brenchley 

 Hill, I observed considerable irregularity of disturbance. 



