SCARBOROUGH CLIFF. 59 
be traced along the cliffs ; and it is, therefore, not surprising that its 
inland course is rather assumed than proved. Below it is the carbo- 
naceous series of shales and sandstones, whose northward extension re- 
mains to be described. 
CLIFFS NORTH OF SCARBOROUGH. 
From low-water mark on the shore, beneath the drawbridge, the 
carbonaceous shale rises gradually, till at length, the cornbrash having 
terminated, it possesses the whole stratified portion of the cliff; but a 
great quantity of diluvial clay and pebbles lies upon it, thickening towards 
Peaseliolm beck. The hill beyond, on whose slope are some entrench- 
ments commonly termed Oliver’s battery, is likewise composed of di- 
luvium resting on shale and thin sandstones ; and this character con- 
tinues to the opening at Scalby beck. Here, on both sides of the stream, 
is a very interesting occurrence of granular iron ore, in a solid, nodular 
bed, interlaminated with the sandstone. The cliffs from Scalby beck to 
the 5 projecting point south of Cloughton Wyke are all less than one 
hundred and thirty-five feet in height, and, as will be seen by the colour- 
ing of the section, are all composed of diluvial sand and sandstone gravel, 
resting upon shale and sandstone. The sandstone forms a series of low- 
water scars, on which it is interesting to trace the contrary courses of 
the beds, depending on their irregular flexures and inclinations. Before 
arriving at Cloughton Wyke, the lower and thicker beds of sandstone 
above-mentioned rise to the summit of the cliff, and leave the shore to 
be occupied by the argillo-calcareous and sometimes oolitic beds, full of 
shells, which represent the oolite of Cave and Lincolnshire. The series 
here laid bare in the cliffs and on the shore is the following ; 
a. Block sandstone, on the top of the cliff, irony, and often spotted with carbo- 
naceous fragments. 
b. Shale, which wastes from under it. In the upper part principally lie the iron- 
stone balls. 
c. Nodular, rather shaly, calcareous bed, full of shells, five or six feet ; the joints 
sparry and ochry. 
I 2 
