592 Indications of Fertility or Barrenness of Soils. 
scious of my proceedings, and then visiting the spot and examining 
into, and testing the truth of my preconceived notions, which had 
been derived from a consideration of the geological situation of the 
same land. It is true I was sometimes disappointed, on visiting 
the new red sandstone, the lias, the lower oolite, and chalk marl, 
to find here and there patches of barren land. In due time, how- 
ever, I had the satisfaction to discover that those barren patches 
were few, and formed only a minor portion of the formation, which 
had been previously understood to be generally fertile. This table 
affords a condensed view of the nature of the soils of this island ; but 
it must not be expected to be perfect. Such as it is, the result of 
the labour of years, it exhibits to what extent the efforts of a soli- 
tary and humble individual have succeeded in applying the science 
of geology, so as to make it subservient to tliis most important 
subject. 
GENERAL INDICATIONS. 
Barrenness. 
The following may be considered to be indications of barren- 
ness when a cursory view of any district or country is taken : — 
Mountains, hills, moorlands, heaths, bogs, marshes, swamps, 
commons, downs, wolds, extensive beech woods ; stone walls for 
fences, instead of quickset hedges ; extensive plantations of Scotch 
and larch firs ; stunted knotty-looking timber in the hedgerows ; 
thorn trees of a considerable age standing here and there in an 
open country in the fields ; extensive deer-parks ; where mansion- 
houses and gentlemen's seats are thinly scattered over the country 
— (this is not intended to have any reference to new colonies, and 
countries but yet partially inhabited) — where stagnant water is 
abundant, and where temporary lakes are formed during autumn, 
winter, and spring ; where very large flocks of sheep are kept, 
and scarcely any cattle, and but very few cows. 
Where young beasts are bred and reared in large numbers, and 
afterwards annually sold off to the graziers of a richer country, for 
them to fatten and send to the market. 
Where rabbits are numerous, and especially where warrens are 
formed. 
Where bramble- bushes, furze, and black-thorns usurp a broad 
belt round the margin of the fields. 
Whore villages are thinly scattered over the country, being 
several miles a])art. 
Wlicro ant-hills occupy a considerable portion of the surface. 
Where the lapwing, plover, and curlew arc numerous. 
Where the wild-goose descends and feeds on the stubbles. On 
