1 1(5 On a Group of Rocks in Cumberland and Westmoreland. 



west of Whitehaven that the upper beds of the coal measures lie 

 under a stratum of magnesian limestone. On the limestone is 

 immediately superimposed the immense deposit of red sandstone 

 that forms the entire thickness of the cliff from this point to St. 

 Bees Head. 



The dip of the coal measures and magnesian limestone is nearly 

 south-west towards St. Bees, which brings them under the red 

 sandstone at the point of junction above described, where there is 

 also a large gypsum quarry in the lowest part of the red sandstone. 



It would not be within the object of the present paper, (which 

 is to describe the district between Melmerby and Murton pike,) 

 to enter into the detail of these sections or the general history of 

 this stratum. These however lead to a conclusion almost inevit- 

 able, that the Carlisle red sandstone is the same with that of the 

 vales of Cheshire, of Salop, Lancashire and York ; the matrix of our 

 great quarries .of gypsum and rock salt ; and a deposition more 

 recent than that magnesian lime which is incumbent on the upper 

 strata of the principal English Coal-fields. 



