88 THE GEOLOGIST. 



Standing on the top of Leckhampton hill, every one must be struck 

 with the extensive panoramic view, probably unequalled in England, 

 which it commands. The Liassic plain, though flat, is here and 

 there relieved by gentle undulations, and bounded on the west by the 

 fine range of the Malverns, the rounded dome of May Hill, and the 

 hills of the Eorest of Dean ; while on a clear day a view is obtained of 

 the still more distant mountains of Wales. 



There is also another peculiar feature in the physical geography of 

 this district in those outliers or smaller hills which stand out at variable 

 distances from the main chain. These are Eobinswood Hill, Church- 

 down, Battledown, Bredon, and others not distinctly visible from Leck- 

 hampton. Though often partially denuded of the oolite, there can be no 

 doubt these isolated spots were formerly united to the Cotswolds, 

 which most probably extended further outwards than they do now. 



In addition to Mr. Hull's " Geology of the Country around Chelten- 

 ham,"^*' and Mr. Lycett's Cots wold Hills," we recommend the perusal 

 of Sir 11. I. Murchison's Geology of Cheltenham," above referred to. 

 Many of the characteristic fossils may be purchased at a moderate rate 

 of Jenkins, a nurseryman, on the right-hand side of the road leading 

 to Leckhampton. 



We have necessarily confined our remarks to a limited portion 

 of the geology of a part only of the county of Gloucester ; but this must 

 lead us to wider and more general views of the whole subject — local 

 details and discoveries have their chief value in reference to this end — 

 for which reason we would suggest a comparison of the Oolites in their 

 extension into Somersetshire and Dorsetshire on the one hand, and into 

 Northamptonshire, Lincolnshire, and Yorkshire on the other. Geology, 

 in the subjects of which it treats, requires a liberal and comprehensive 

 view to be taken ; and valuable undoubtedly as all local knowledge is, 

 we must not rest satisfied with such a limitation, but carry our 

 investigations into surrounding or into distant regions, and study 

 nature on a grand scale, suitable to the wide fields of observation 

 be tore us. 



° See also Mr. E. Hull's elaborate memoir on the Physical Geography of the 

 CottesAvold Hills, in the Quarterly Journal of the Geological Society, vol. xi., 

 p. 477. — Ed. of GEOJ.or.isT, 



