WILTSHIRK. ON THK RED CHALK OF ENGLAND. 263 
station, and 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 inquii-e the way to the sca-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 afterward.s, being on high ground, be able, 
by the light of nature, to find a way down to the sands below. 
Whilst descending, let iis 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 of 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 clifl's 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 
situ, 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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