OF THE COUNTY OF SUSSEX. 
5 
Downs, forms tlieir northern boundary. It was 
anciently an immense forest, (called by the earlier 
colonists Cold Andred, by the Romans Silm 
Ariderida, and by the Saxons Andread.sicald,) 
which, even in the time of Bede, was a mere re- 
treat for deer and swine : the greater part is now 
in an excellent state of cultivation. It consists of 
various beds of clay, sand, and limestone, and is 
comparatively of low elevation : its breath is from 
five to ten miles, and its length from thirty to 
forty miles ; it is estimated to contain 425,000 
acres. The surface is intersected by numerous 
valleys, which generally occur at the outcrop or 
basseting edges of the harder strata, and form 
channels for the numerous streams that are tribu- 
tary to the rivers in their vicinity. The whole 
tract rises with a gradual sweep from the foot of 
the Downs, and unites with the higher lands of 
the Forest- Ridge. 
The Forest-Ridge constitutes the north-eastern 
extremity of the county. It is composed of the 
more elevated portions of the sands and sand- 
stones; and, from the rocky and abrupt termination 
of its ridges, which are for the most part either 
crested with forests or overgrown with under- 
wood, forms a tract of country remarkable for its 
romantic and jiicturesque scenery. The principal 
heights in this range are AVych Cross, Brightling 
Down, Dane’s Hill, Fairlight Down, and Crow- 
borough Beacon : the last-mentioned is the highest 
and most central eminence, and is 804 feet above 
the level of the sea. 
“ The climate in the western part of the maritime 
B 3 
