297 
Geological Relations of the East of Ireland. 
isting form of the surface of the earth may bear but a slight relation 
to its pristine state, at a time when the universal waters yet prevail- 
ed over the surface of the globe. 
§ 204. The eastern flank of the Eastern mountain chain pre- 
sents no ingredient of a foreign nature, either in its soil, or in the 
course of its rivers, until we approach the coast, or the outlets of 
such vallies as are connected with the sea; but there depositions of 
limestone gravel and marl prevail. The lines of the Dargle, Glen- 
cullen, Glencree, and Glenisloreane streams are, to a certain extent, 
occupied by such depositions ; vrtiich encircle the base, and ascend 
a considerable way up the sides of the neighbouring hills, pene- 
trating into their recesses, and reaching almost to the foot of 
Powerscourt waterfall. In this quarter, the rising mountains acted 
as a barrier to their farther progress, but an opening was formed 
between the two Sugar Loaves, through which the depositions 
passed to the southward, spreading over the whole of that beautiful 
amphitheatre, which is bounded by Bray Head on the north and by 
Wicklow Head on the south, and confined on the west by the range 
of hills which extend from Great Sugar Loaf, past Newtown, tow r ard 
Carrigmacreilly. To the west, beyond and above this barrier, no 
limestone gravel or marl are found on the east of the central 
chain. 
§ 205. Between Wicklow Head and Arklow Rocks, valuable 
deposits of marl are lodged in all the vales extending toward the 
sea, but no limestone gravel appears. Thus, if we draw a semi- 
circular line, bounded by Wicklow Head on the north, Kilnamafma 
and West Aston range on the west, and the Ballinvallow and Glen- 
teigue range on the south, we inclose an area abounding in this 
excellent manure, which skirts the ,; feet of these hills, surrounds the 
V 01 ...V. - 2 p 
