APPENDIX. 



457 



it appears that attempts have been made to separate it, probably for 

 the purpose of building, for several old houses in Gwythian are built 

 of it. The rocks in the vicinity of this recent formation in the bay of 

 St. Ives, are greenstone and clay slate, alternating with each other. 

 The clay slate is in a state of rapid decomposition, in consequence of 

 which large masses of the hornblende rock have fallen in various 

 directions, and given a singular character of picturesque rudeness to 

 the scene. This is remarkable in the rocks which constitute Godrevy 

 Island. It is around the promontory of New Kaye, that the most 

 extensive formation of sandstone takes place. Here it may be seen 

 in different stages of induration, from a state in which it is too friable 

 to be detached from the rock upon which it reposes, to a hardness so 

 considerable that it requires a very violent blow from a sledge to break 

 it. Buildings are here constructed of it ; the church of Cranstock is 

 entirely built with it ; and it is also employed for various articles of 

 domestic and agricultural uses. The geologist who has previously 

 examined the celebrated specimen from Guadaloupe, will be struck 

 with the great analogy which it bears to this formation. Suspecting 

 that masses might be found containing human bones, if a diligent 

 search were made in the vicinity of those cemeteries which have been 

 overwhelmed, I made some investigations in those spots, but, 1 regret 

 to add, without success. The rocks upon which the sandstone reposes 

 are alternations of clay slate, and slaty limestone. The inclination of 

 the beds is SS.W., and at an angle of 40°. Upon a plane formed by 

 the edges of these strata, lies a horizontal bed of rounded pebbles, 

 cemented together by the sandstone which is deposited immediately 

 above them, forming a bed of from ten to twelve feet in thickness, and 

 containing fragments of slate, and entire shells ; and exhibiting the 

 same appearance of stratification as that noticed in St. Ives Bay. 

 Above this sandstone lie immense heaps of drifted sand. But it is on 

 the western side of the promontory of New Kaye, in Fishel Bay, that 

 the geologist will be most struck with this formation ; for here no 

 other rock is in sight. The cliffs, which are high, and extend for 

 several miles, are entirely composed of it ; they are occasionally inter- 

 sected by veins and dykes of breccia. In the cavities, calcareous 

 stalactites of rude appearance, opaque, and of a grey colour, hang 

 suspended. The beach is covered with disjointed fragments, which 

 have been detached from the cliffs above, many of which weigh two 

 or three tons." — From a Memoir by Dr. Paris, in the Transactions of 

 the Royal Geological Society of Cornwall. 



