126 Mr. Wright on the Geology of the Brown Clee Hill. 



lected in consequence of the superior quality of the coal which is found three 

 or four miles distant, in the Titterstone Clee. 



There are three separate faults, ranging nearly parallel to each other in a 

 north-east direction*. The first, which is but a few inches in width, throws 

 up the coal veins about three feet on its south-eastern side; the second throws 

 them up about five feet; and the third, which ranges near the centre of the 

 superincumbent mass of basalt, called the Clee Burf, is about thirteen yards 

 in horizontal thickness, and throws up the measures nearly nine yards. 



The " Wall," as this last fault, or the basalt which accompanies it, is 

 termed by the miners, is so hard as to require to be blasted, no tools which 

 they possess being able to work it; but the coal in immediate contact with 

 the basalt, is represented as not being in the least charred. 



It may be followed on the surface for about 400 yards, and in the prolon- 

 gation of this line, the measures are found in abrupt and unconformable 

 contact with the old red sandstone; the lower beds of which also lose their 

 continuity, as may be observed above Pickleton Grange. 



The coal field of the Brown Clee Hill, comprises nearly two square miles, 

 and, owing to an inosculation near the middle of the hill, its outline much 

 resembles a figure of 8 (see Plate VII). 



Within its area are two isolated caps of basalt, forming the highest points 

 of the hill, namely, Ihe Abdon Burf, exceeding 1800 feet above the level of 

 the sea ; and the Clee Burf, which is about 200 feet lower. The basalt of 

 Abdon Burf appears to be about 140 feet thick, but it has very extensively 

 fallen down, and now appears only in the form of large blocks of stone. 



To the eye the basalt precisely agrees with that of Rowley Regis, near 

 Dudley ; and is much finer grained than the basalt at Earls Shilton in Lei- 

 cestershire. From the large fault in the coal measures, specimens of the rock 

 were obtained, similar to the overlying mass of basalt. After the most careful 

 and repeated examinations, no traces of a columnar arrangement could be per- 

 ceived in the basalt of the Brown Clee Hill. From the almost inaccessible 

 nature of their situation, each of these two hills was formerly occupied as a for- 

 tified post, in the same manner as the Titterstone Clee. At Bouldon, about two 

 miles distant, there was formerly an iron furnace, and it is generally believed 

 that the ore was obtained from the Brown Clee Hill. Immense heaps of refuse 

 are yet seen, from which the metal has been but very partially extracted. 



It is certain that iron ore is associated with this coal deposit ; but its site is 

 not sufficiently known to admit of being introduced into the accompanying- 

 plan ; for the same reason I have omitted to mark the outburst of the beds of 

 coal. 



* Plate VII. Map and Section E. F. 



