328 Notices and Extracts fro)7i the Minutes of the Geological Society. 



by its weit^ht and pressure, added to that of the substratum, the base was forced 

 forwards about three hundred yards from its former site. 



In consequence of the extensive denudation of the chffs, I obtained an 

 opportunity of examining the site of a number of fossil trees, occurring in a 

 stratum which I had previously traced several miles ; and these were particu- 

 larly exposed at Cromer, both on the east and west side of the town. I was 

 also enabled minutely to observe this singular stratum of wood during the 

 operation of excavating the foundations of a sea wall of unusual dimensions, 

 whereby I intersected about two hundred feet in length, and removed a great 

 number of trees and stumps. 



This subterranean forest occupies, in general, a bed about four feet in 

 thickness, composed of numerous laminee of clay, sand, and vegetable remains ; 

 the whole mass varying much in colour and density, according to the preva- 

 lence of ferruginous or of vegetable matter. The trunks were found to stand 

 as thickly as is usual in woods, and consistently with their proper growth. 

 These stumps are firmly rooted in what appears the original soil on which 

 they grew ; but they are invariably broken off about a foot and a half from 

 the base. The stems and branches lie scattered horizontally ; amongst which 

 are thin layers and cakes of decomposed leaves, but no fruits or seed-vessels 

 were noticed. The species of timber appear to be confined chiefly to the 

 pine tribe, with occasional specimens of elm and oak. They are all flattened 

 by the pressure of the overlying alluvial strata. 



I am not positive of the occurrence of any animal remains, except in one 

 instance, when I disengaged from this stratum a portion of the skull of an 

 animal of the deer tribe. The bones of elephants and other herbivorous 

 animals are not uncommonly found near this site^ and may have been washed 

 out of the same bed. 



The general level of the stratum on which are placed the stumps of trees 

 so far as I have traced them, is a few feet above high-water mark : although 

 it frequently inclines as much below, and is concealed by the loose sand of 

 the beach. At Cromer it occurs beneath 60 to 100 feet of alluvial deposits. 

 At the base of Paston Hill the bed, containing large stumps of trees, sustains 

 the pressure of near 200 feet of sand, gravel and clay. Nearer Happisburgh, 

 at Bacton Gap, it occurs with only 10 feet of superincumbent loam reposing 

 upon it. The extreme points at which I have identified this interesting 

 stratum are about 20 miles asunder ; and throughout this extent it may be 

 considered as continuous. 



The geological fact which I have taken the liberty of thus noticing is pro- 

 bably not altogether new, yet is entitled to some consideration, as illustrative 



