m 



VI. — On the new Red Sandstone Series in the Basin of the Eden, and 

 north-ivestern Coasts of Cumberland and Lancashire. 



By the Rev. ADAM SEDGWICK, F.R.S. V.P.G.S. &c. 



(WOODWARDIAN PROFESSOR IN THE UNIVERSITY OF CAMBRIDGE.) 



[Read February 1, 1832.] 



Introduction. 



xN two papers read before the Geological Society during the Sessions of the 

 past year*, I endeavoured to describe the phaenomena exhibited along the 

 line where the carboniferous chain of Yorkshire and Westmoreland strikes 

 against the old slate rocks of the Cumbrian mountains. Taking up the sub- 

 ject where it had been left by Mr. Phillips f, a series of enormous faults and 

 dislocations were traced, nearly along this line of junction, to the foot of 

 Stainmoor; and it was shown that mountain masses of rock, torn off from the 

 carboniferous series, were thrown down with a reversed dip into the higher 

 part of the valley of the Eden, near Kirkby Stephen ; and that after many 

 breaks and contortions, they gradually gained a more regular strike and dip, 

 and were prolonged into a chain, forming the northern outskirt of the primary 

 Cumbrian system, and terminating at Egremont. It was at the same time 

 shown that another fault, ranging under the escarpment of the Cross Fell 

 chain, produced a corresponding effect on that part of the carboniferous series; 

 and that both these great disruptions took place at a period anterior to a 

 portion of the conglomerates of the new red sandstone J. 



In this paper I purpose to give a sketch of the new red sandstone series, 

 which spreads from both banks of the Eden to the base of the neighbouring 

 mountains, and afterwards skirts the coasts of Cumberland and Low Furness. 

 In performing this task I shall endeavour to describe in order, 



1st, The geographical distribution of the red sandstone series, and the 

 features of the country through which it ranges ; 



2ndly, Two or three masses of older rock, which appear within the limits of 

 the red sandstone ; 



* Geological Transactions, Second Series, vol. iv. pp. 47, 69. 



f Geological Transactions, Second Series, vol. iii. p. 1. + See Plate XXV. fig. 2. 



