INTRODUCTORY OBSERVATIONS. 
XIX 
regular coal bed in the Hastings strata ; while this 
on wliich Bexliill is situated, is separated from 
the coal measures by a series of interposed beds 
of such enormous thickness, as to render all idea 
of penetrating through them absurd. The his- 
tory of mining operations is full of similar cases, 
where a very moderate acquaintance with the usual 
order of nature ^ to say nothing of theoretical views, 
would have saved many a sanguine adventurer from 
utter ruin.” * 
The sequence of physical events which the geo- 
logical phenomena of the south-east of England 
establish, will be fully elucidated in the following 
pages ; and, as the strata of this part of our island 
form a series from the most recent deposits to the 
Oolite^ the investigation of their characters and 
relations will be found highly interesting, and may 
be considered as one of the best practical lessons 
for the student in British geology. 
* Sir John Herschel’s Discourse on the Study of Natural Philo- 
sophy. 
