May Hill. Malverns. 



View from Tortworth Terrace, looking toivards May Hill and the Malverns, from a sketch by Mrs. Murchison, 



CHAPTER XXXIV. 

 ON THE ROCKS OF THE TORTWORTH DISTRICT (GLOUCESTERSHIRE). 



General succession of strata, from the Inferior Oolite to the Lower Silurian Rocks. 

 — Inferior Oolite and Lias. — New Red Sandstone and Dolomitic Conglome- 

 rate. — Coal Measures (unconformable to the overlying strata). — Carboniferous 

 Limestone. — Old Red Sandstone (peculiarities o/"). — Silurian System. — 

 Small developments of Ludlow and Wenlock formations. — Caradoc Sandstone 

 clearly exhibited. — Trap Rocks all of intrusive character.— Altered and dis- 

 located deposits. — Strata elevated and thrown into anticlinal forms by the 

 outburst of trap. (See Map and PL 36. figs. 16 to 22 inclusive.) 



PERHAPS no district of similar extent in Great Britain presents so many different 

 geological formations as the picturesque tract around Tortworth in Gloucestershire. 

 This district was first brought into notice by the researches of the Rev. Dr. Cooke, 

 Rector of the parish 1 . It next acquired a scientific repute through the memoir of 



1 It is delightful to trace in the MS. maps and drawings of the venerable Rector of Tortworth (the intimate 

 friend of many of our early observers) the impress of much originality of thought and sound geological 

 views, long before this district was described by geologists. If country clergymen in general, occupied a few 

 of their leisure hours in acquiring a knowledge of the natural history of their neighbourhood, with as much 

 zeal as Dr. Cooke, the task of those who endeavour to group and generalize facts would indeed be lightened. 

 I speak with a grateful recollection of the kind assistance afforded me. 



3 k 2 



