98 
southern side of the mouth of the river Tees, and extend across 
the country to the Severn, terminating on our southern coast 
at Sidmouth and Lyme Regis, pass just to the west of Kirton- 
in-Lindsey, which is situated on the geological equivalents of 
the Lower Oolites of the Cleveland district. The Middle Oolite 
being found at Brigg, and extending to near Caistor, above 
which, passing through the upper series, we reach the lower 
Cretaceous formations, to the east of which is the Chalk. 
Such is a rapid outline of the geological character of the 
country, a sketch of which appeared to be necessary to 
convey a correct idea of all the conditions under which this 
iron ore occurs. 
At several points slight indications appeared to show the 
probability of the large extension of this superficial deposit 
of iron ore ; but near Scunthorpe alone was there any direct 
evidence of its presence. Some small openings had been 
made, each one of them proving the existence of this bed, 
but at one point several acres of the surface had been 
removed, disclosing a bed of from 10 to 15 feet in thickness. 
This was in every way a remarkable deposit. On its upper 
surface was found a black sand, the analysis of which, to be 
given presently, proved it to be nearly pure peroxide of iron. 
It became indurated in depth, but varying considerably in its 
colour and character. In some parts of the bed large masses 
of very coherent iron ore were visible, with patches of a 
yellow stone, and small veins of white stone, apparently 
carbonate of lime, which were, however, completely separated 
from the main mass of ore. 
I have been favoured by the proprietor of this property, 
Rowland Winn, Esq., with a set of analyses of these ores, 
made in one case by Hugh Lee Pattinson, Esq., of Newcastle, 
and in the other by J. D. Sollitt, Esq., of Hull. As a 
knowledge of these results will best enable us to determine 
the correctness, or otherwise, of the views I entertain, the 
analyses are given at once. 
