XXIV . — Geological Sketch of the Environs of Petersburg ; 
By the Hon. Wm. Thos. HORNER FOX STRANGWAYS, 
VICE PRESIDENT OF THE GEOLOGICAL SOCIETY ► 
[Read April 16, 1819.} 
The environs of Petersburg offer, at first sight, but few induce- 
ments to geological or mineralogical research ; a great extent of flat 
country, apparently covered every where by alluvial formations, 
and boulders of the primitive rocks, is all that strikes the eye of 
the traveller, who is seldom tempted to explore the wildernesses 
that yet surround this capital, from their want of any thing that 
may be called picturesque beauty. There are, indeed, some few spots 
which may be quoted as exceptions; but they are mostly at some 
distance from the town, and are but little known even to the 
natives : and as the nature of the country gives no room to suspect 
their existence, it is not wonderful that they remain unvisited by 
strangers. 
From this cause, perhaps, it arises, that there has hitherto prevailed 
an equal ignorance of the geology of the district to which the 
following observations relate. 1 have been told by some, that the 
whole country eastward from Narva consisted of a series of 
primitive rocks, which were said to shew themselves in the falls of 
the Narova above that town. Others have told me, that it was 
what is called a basin of the formations above the chalk ; a question, 
which, until chalk has been proved to exist somewhat nearer to 
