THE DEVONIAN HOCKS OF ILFRACOMBE. 
107 
rolling hills of sand, inhabited by millions of rabbits, but more 
interesting to the botanist as the home of one plant not found 
elsewhere in Great Britain, the Scirpus Holoschcenus, a native of 
Spain and Portugal; but this is a subject more befitting a botanical 
paper than the present one. 
At the northern end of these burrows are the Santon Rocks, 
wholly Devonian, but against their seaward face rests a rock now 
in course of formation, consisting of the sand of the neighbouring 
hills, cemented together by saline matter. This rock covers up the 
Devonian cliffs, and has in places been hollowed out by the action 
of the sea into caves, in one of which a granite boulder rests, which 
has been the subject of much controversy ; for, whilst some 
geologists have said that no granite similar to that of which it con¬ 
sists is to be found nearer than the Grampians, others have had 
the hardihood to contend for its purely local origin, and say that it 
has come only from Lundy Island, about ten miles distant. 
But the origin of this boulder must rest in obscurity for the present, 
for, whilst Professor Lapworth has told me that this granite is not 
a Scotch one, judging from the specimen submitted to him, 
Mr. Hambling has also told me, since this paper was read by me, 
that it does not agree with any granite found on the before- 
mentioned island. 
In conclusion, I think that I have shown you enough this evening 
of the marvellous changes which have taken place in Devonshire, 
both as regards the Fauna of ancient seas, its physical conditions, 
its climate, and the configuration of the coast-line, to prove that a 
mighty power has been in operation there. That power, I am old- 
fashioned enough to believe, is that of God, put forth to fit our 
island for its present inhabitants; to afford us pleasure as we 
behold its varied scenery of hill, and dale, and sea, and to produce 
all that is necessary for our material support. Thus whilst other 
sciences may teach us much respecting some of God’s perfections, 
Geology directs our minds to His antiquity, and so to the antiquity 
of our globe. “ Of old hast Thou laid the foundations of the earth : 
and the heavens are the work of Thy hands.” 
May, 1893. 
