13 
From the evidence given in my former paper I inferred that this 
subsidence at Falmouth had amounted to about 40 feet. A rather less 
amount would satisfy the demands of the problem presented in Barnstaple 
Bay. But on the other hand the evidence derived from the raised beaches 
is stronger in the latter place. They are remarkably distinct and reach a 
height of 30 feet above high water mark. They therefore indicate 
elevation to that extent at least since the time of their deposition. It 
would be an interesting study for any one staying in the locality to make 
a collection if it were possible of the organic remains in the raised beaches 
and compare them with those of the clay beds in order to determine which 
of the two is the older formation. To my own mind the evidence tends to 
shew that the raised beaches are the more ancient. The crucial test of 
superposition I have never been able to apply and the arguments in favour 
of this opinion are mostly derived from other localities. But if this view 
be the true one it is a necessary consequence that the following changes 
have taken place in the relative levels of land and sea in Bideford Bay 
during what may fairly be called quite recent geological times. 
(a) As shewn by the raised beaches there was a time when the land 
lay lower than now by at least 30 or 40 feet. This was the time of their 
formation from materials derived from the surrounding cliffs. 
(b ) After the deposition of these beaches followed a time of elevation 
and reemergence during which much of the previous deposit was washed 
away and the remainder lifted out of the reach of the waves to a height of 
probably 50 or 60 feet that is about 20 feet above its present position. 
During this period too occurred that growth of peat and wood which 
afforded the remains brought forward this evening. 
(c) Subsidence again ensued by which the land surfaces of the pro- 
ceeding period were gradually brought down to and below the water level 
and sand and shingle accumulated above it. This is probably still going on. 
A unity is thus given to this interesting series of deposits and the same 
sequence is found to explain the phenomena presented in other spots 
around the S.W. coast. 
It by no means follows that exactly the same extent of elevation or 
subsidence must be looked for in all these places. It is not probable that 
the movement was uniform over any large tract of country nor is it 
necessary that any gradation should be observed. The break may be quite 
sudden between a district undergoing upheaval and another and neigh- 
bouring one at rest or subsiding, for in this way only can we account for 
the faults ranging over a large extent of country and shewing such 
