THE VALE OF PICKERING. 
15 
affinities of detached portions of the strata ; and, when viewed in com- 
bination with the substance and arrangement of the rocks, the results 
to which they lead may be confidently adopted. 
THE VALE OF PICKERING. 
This valley, or rather wide level, containing nearly one hundred 
and sixty square miles of surface, lies between the parallel ranges 
of chalk and oolite. Its eastern portion, contracted by the nearer 
approach of these high ridges, is prolonged to the edge of the sea 
cliffs about Filey ; on the west, its waters pass, by a narrow valley 
of denudation, through the oolitic hills which extend from Castle Howard 
to Malton and Langton wold. Were this narrow passage closed, a large 
portion of the vale of Pickering would become a lake, discharging itself 
into the sea near Filey, through cliffs about seventy feet high. Pro- 
fessor Bucldand, in his admirable work, the * lleliquke Diluvianas, 
seems to admit the probability of the vale of Pickering having been an 
antediluvian lake, which was drained when the present outlet at Malton 
was effected. 
The idea of its having been a lake naturally offers itself to every one 
who considers its wide level surface, and remarks the multitude of 
streams which run into it, and pass out by the single channel of the 
Derwent. But I do not think that the present appearances of the vale 
can fairly be employed to support opinions as to its condition before the 
flood. The vale of Pickering has a partial surface of alluvial sediment, 
and a general covering of diluvial clay and pebbles, upon a substratum 
of blue clay. How vast a load of diluvium lies on this stratum, in 
particular situations, is known to those who have inspected the cliffs 
between Speeton and Filey ; and similar accumulations prevent it 
from appearing in all the central part of the vale. The present flat 
appearance of this great hollow, therefore, is owing to the effects of 
diluvial and alluvial agencies; and affords no clue to its antediluvian 
