INTRODUCTION. xi 
1881. 1882, 
Clover, Sainfoin, and Grasses under Rotation 45,341 44,564 
Permanent Pastures not broken up ......... 148,799 149,150 
PAX) ii es sseisan aes he taveanaqnonnahteaaacaans gence I 
Bare Mallow: exes vensenedecigctateiettonce ise 11,652 12,928 
Woods, Coppices .0........ccsseeeceaeceenseeeeees 21,661 
Elevation of Surface. The surface of the county is very 
diversified, varying from the flat meadows bordering its rivers, 
to the rounded knolls of north Oxford and the chalk downs of 
the south ; but on the whole there is a gradual slope from the 
north and west to the south and east over the Liassic and 
Oolitic strata, till the chalk hills are met in the south, through 
which the Thames has cut its channel. 
A continuance of the Cotteswold gives to the western side 
a considerable elevation, Epwell Hill rising to 743 feet, and 
the high ridge forming the Warwickshire boundary at the 
Rollright Stones, 737 feet, Enstone sinking to 495, and Wood- 
stock to 333, while the meadows near Buckingham are 264 
feet. The Cherwell at Banbury is 300 feet, and after its 
junction with the Isis at Oxford is about 190 feet. Ben- 
sington is 150 feet, and Henley is 120 feet above the sea level. 
The long range of the Chilterns runs north-easterly from 
Goring, and reaches at Nettlebed the height of 696 feet. 
Nettlebed and Nuffield 698 feet, and Woodcote of almost equal 
elevation, form a plateau most interesting in its floral treasures 
and commanding extensive and varied views. Towards the 
Bucks border, overlooking a large extent of level country, 
thickly studded with picturesque villages, rises to a height of 
809 feet the bold chalk down called Beacon Hill, a prominent 
object in the chalk range when seen from Shotover or Wood 
Perry. 
GEHOLOGY. 
Space only allows a brief sketch of the geology of the county 
to be given. The following works on local Geology may be 
enumerated for the convenience of those wishing to fully study 
the subject. 
The Geology of Oxford and the Thames Valley 1871. Sections 
of the Strata near Oxford. Journ. Geological Society, vol. av. 
