THE WEALDEN. 
181 
ments of the lower arenaceous beds of the chalk 
of Kent, Sussex, Surrey, and Hampshire is occu- 
pied by this formation, which forms an anticlinal 
axis, of considerable elevation, the direction of which 
is from nearly east to west ; the strata diverging 
E. N. E. and W. S. W., and dipping beneatli the 
inferior members of tlie clialk formation. The dis- 
trict of the Wealden may be described as an irre- 
gidar triangle, the base extending from near 
Pevensey in Sussex, to Scabrook in Kent ; and tlie 
apex being situated in western Sussex, near Ilart- 
ing Combe. An inspection of the map will 
render this description more intelligible. At the 
same time, the reader should bear in mind, that the 
above statement must be taken in the most general 
sense ; for the strata have suffered so much dis- 
placement, that instances may be found of the dip 
being towards every point of the compass. 
For the convenience of study, the Wealden strata 
may be separated into three principal divisions ; 
namely, the Weald clay ; the Hastings beds, in- 
cluding the strata of Tilgate Forest ; and the Ash- 
burnham or inferior limestones and shales, which 
are presumed to be the lowermost strata in Sussex. 
The formation, therefore, will admit of the follow- 
ing synoptical arrangement : it must, however, be 
remarked, that these subdivisions are arbitrary ; for 
the strata are, in truth, exceedingly variable, both 
in their nature and extent. 
