HASTINGS STRATA. 
189 
“ A line of blue shale extends along the upper 
part of tlie clay in the west of Sussex, abounding 
in some of the fossils above mentioned, and in 
ferruginous septaria, which are coated with a 
conglomerate of casts of paludinae, cyclades, cy- 
prides, and bones of fishes.” * 
2. HASTINGS BEDS. 
The alternating sands, sandstone, and shale, &c., 
which form ‘the central group of tlie Weal den, are 
distinguished by the name of “ Hastings Beds” 
by Dr. Titton ; and we consider the term as most 
appropriate, since tlie cliffs in the vicinity of 
Hastings present the most instructive and ex- 
tensive section that can be obtained, and must be 
examined by every one who is desirous of inves- 
tigating the geological characters of this importiint 
series of the British strata.! 
The Hastings beds consist of numerous strata 
of sand, sandstone, grit, shale, &c., some of which 
enclose a great variety of organic remains. On the 
coast they extend from Bexhill, in Sussex, to Ham 
Street, near Aldington, in Kent, forming a line of 
irregular cliffs, thirty or forty miles in length, and 
* Mr. Martin. 
f The vicinity of Hastings will indeed become classic ground to the 
British geologist ; for the admirable sketch of the geological phenomena 
which the cliffs exhibit, and of the history of the Wealden formation 
in general, from the pen of Dr. Fitton, has added to their natural at- 
tractions all the interest which extensive observation, profound scientific 
research, and sound philosophy can bestow. 
