WILTSHIRE. — ON THE RED CHALK OF ENGLAND. 2'63 



station, aud have in due time arrived at that latter place. On alight- 

 ing from the train we must direct our steps to the houses in front, 

 and then inquire the way to the sea-shore, above which we shall be 

 standing at some considerable height — say four hundred feet. We 

 shall be told to walk by the church, to turn to the right along a 

 little lane, and then to look for an obscure path which passes across 

 the fields. We shall soon afterwards, being on high ground, be able, 

 by the light of nature, to find a way down to the sands below. 



Whilst descending, let us survey the scene that lies before us. It 

 is a grand one, rendered picturesque by the broken ground, the soli- 

 tude, and the sounding of the waves. Right ahead, there is the 

 open Bay ^ Filey ; on the left hand, the town of Filey and its Brig ; 

 not a ship, as one might imagine, but a huge mass of rocks of the 

 coralline oolite, jutting out to sea at right angles from the shore, like 

 a pier formed by human hands, and crowned on the land-side by 

 strangely cut pinnacles of pink and rugged drift. On the right hand 

 there are the high and perpendicular white chalk cliffs of the Flam- 

 borough range. As we pass down we shall meet with a gulley or bed 

 of a small stream, in all probability quite dry, by following the 

 winding course of which we shall reach the shore. This gulley passes 

 over an escarpment of diluvial matter (the whole place being in 

 confusion through the effects of small landslips), and traverses the 

 Red Chalk itself, the first trace of which will be rendered visible by 

 means of rolled fragments, which the force of the stream has at 

 different times detached. 



It will be only here and there that we shall find the Red Chalk in 

 sitUy because sometimes vegetation, sometimes diluvium, sometimes 

 fallen masses, entirely conceal its real position. However, there 

 will be plenty of rounded pieces at the feet. Some of these had 

 better be examined on the spot, in order that we may gain a 

 clear perception of the appearance of the bed, should we meet 

 with it again. These pieces are found to be hard and rough to the 

 touch, and of a bright red tinge, though occasionally marked with 

 streaks of white. Most likely on some of their sides a fossil or 

 two will be seen peeping out ; a blow from a hammer will divulge 

 still more. So plentiful are the rolled fragments, that a few hours' 

 work will satisfy the conscience, and fill the pockets of the traveller. 



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