37 
VI. 
The Quarternary Deposits of the Bristol Neighl rhood. 
By W. W. Stoddart, F.G.S., F.C.S. 
Read before the Geological Section, February 8th, 1870. 
Any one standing on such elevations as Bathford Hill or Glastonbury 
Tor, and looking northwards and towards the Channel, must be struck with 
the apparent coast-line which seems to surround him, but at some distance 
from the present sea shore. At the same time an excess of interest deep- 
ens into a kind of awe when he contemplates the great changes that must 
have taken place, geologically speaking, but a short time since, historically, 
however, a great number of ages — perhaps many thousands, or hundreds 
of thousands of years ago. 
The spots we now walk over or use for growing our food crops were 
once the home of the Mollusc, and the sporting-ground of the Fish, when 
the time of high and low water ebbed and flowed as in our day. But how 
different the scene. No railways or busy hum of the human race, till 
later times. All was silence, only broken by the calls of the Hyena 
and the roars of the Lion and the Bear, which then roamed at their 
will, unchecked by the presence of their human master, f 
All the changes that took place, with the exception of one, were gradual 
in their operation and slow in their action. 
Nevertheless, simple as the retrospective explanation at first sight 
appears, no sooner does the Geologist commence it, than many difficulties 
arise to puzzle and perplex. We see the deposits of sand and gravel, of 
breccia and conglomerate, collecting and detaining in their grasp bits of 
rock of great variety, pieces of wood, and the bones and teeth of animals. 
Many times these are found occurring in places, that seemed to oppose 
many an apparently good scheme for their production, till at length one 
feels inclined to "give it up" in despair. 
On thinking the matter over, one difficulty appeared to arise from the 
very circumscribed view that could be obtained from any one stand-point, 
however elevated ; and that if I could obtain a comprehensive bird's-eye 
view of the whole neighbourhood, I should be more successful in obtaining 
my wishes. I therefore prepared the accompanying outline map, giving as 
truly as I could, a sketch of the country and coast -line as it must have 
