in the Neighbourhood of Bristol. 195 



pyramids; some are of the highest lustre and transparency, others 

 variously coloured by iron ore, or containing acicular crystals of that 

 substance, or of manganese -, some are said to be pierced with needles 

 of sulphate of strontian. 



Behind Brandon Hill there are beds of sand highly impregnated 

 with iron, and containing impressions both of shells and vegetables.* 

 In the descent on the south of Brandon Hill some singular masses 

 of breccia project from the ground, containing rich iron ore, and 

 assuming nearly a cubical form. The siliceous iron-stone of Brandon 

 Hill has been found to make the best grinding stone for enamel 

 colours. Below the siliceous iron-stone, upon the banks of the river 

 near the Hot-well House, three small beds of coal make their ap- 

 pearance. These have been worked close to the river on its southern 

 bank : and on the northern at the distance of two miles, near the 

 Fort, a trial for coal was made some years since, but the seams found 

 were not worth working. 



Upon the banks of the Avon, immediately below the coal, there 

 is found an extensive series of beds consisting principally of limestone, 

 which form that high ridge of land which has been already noticed. 

 This ridge passes on the north to Almonsbury and Alveston, and 

 on the south to Clevedon, where the coal field of Nailsea begins. 

 These beds upon the banks of the Avon are remarkably regular in 

 their stratification, being all nearly parallel to one another and 

 dipping to the north-west at an angle of about 45°. They are better 

 observed on the northern than on the opposite bank, being on the 

 former very much exposed by the operations of the quarrier. 



Upon the top of this ridge and upon the fractured edges of the 

 limestone strata, behind Clifton, there has been a partial deposition 



* Mr. Cumberland mentions the anomia producta as found in the sandstone which lies 

 above the limestone. 



