130 Dr. BucKLAND on the Formation of Valleys hy Elevation, ^c. 



plained on the same theory ; and all these facts^ as well as their explanation^ 

 are^ I believe^ in perfect harmony with those of the peat-bogs in the meadows 

 adjacent to the river Test near Romsey, which have been laid before the So- 

 ciety by our Secretary, Mr. Lyell. 



It is quite impossible to refer the origin of the tufaceous portion of these 

 marl-beds to the action of springs or of flood-waters, charged with carbonate 

 of lime ; since there are no springs that pour their waters along the line of the 

 deposits in question ; and, if we would refer them to a precipitation of calca- 

 reous matter from the flood-waters of the Kennet, we should expect similar 

 deposits along all the frontier-lines of these floods, and they would not be 

 limited to the lee side of the valley, and to insular projections in the body of 

 the marsh. 



The total amount of similar driftings along the south border of these bogs is 

 so trifling as to be rarely visible, and is no where known to exceed a foot in 

 thickness. 



The best opportunity of examining the structure of the marl-beds that com- 

 pose this strand, is afforded in the extensive sections, now open at Benham 

 Marsh, about 3 miles west of Newbury. The marl is also visible in a less 

 perfect degree in the turbaries close to the London road at Woolhampton, 

 about 7 miles on the east of Newbury. 



