588 
SECOND REPORT -1882. 
dence, we are reduced to reason from the lesser analogy af¬ 
forded by similar disturbances of the same rocks but in uncon¬ 
nected localities. Even as to the convulsions affecting the very 
same geographical district, it is too much to assume, without 
distinct evidence, that they have all been produced by one sin¬ 
gle shock, rather than by a series which may have occurred at 
intervals, through a long period of ages, in conformity to the 
operations of modern volcanic forces. 
Before proceeding to investigate in detail the particular lines 
of disturbance which in this island we may on probable grounds 
refer to particular geological epochs, attention is first called to 
the general line of elevation of all the secondary strata of our 
country: This has a very uniform tendency from N.E. to S.W.; 
and appears to have been the result of a gradual and continu¬ 
ous upheaving rather than of any single and violent convulsion. 
The action of the elevating forces in this line obviously continued 
beyond the age of the chalk hills which are affected by it; and 
yet it generally coincides with the more partial lines of the ele¬ 
vating forces which have affected far more convulsively the 
carboniferous series before the deposition of the superincum¬ 
bent magnesian limestone, and-of which the age therefore is 
most clearly determined. We have here a marked instance 
that the elevating forces have continued to act at very remote 
geological periods in the same parallels. A like general direc¬ 
tion of the lines of elevation from N.E. to S.W. also prevails 
through the chains of Scotland and of Ireland. 
1. Mr. Conybeare then commences his examination of the 
more marked and particular lines of elevation, beginning with 
those of the tertiary period*. Of these he thinks we may cite 
three instances, all ranging from E. to W. : namely, 1. The 
great line of disturbance affecting the Isle of Wight and East 
Dorset, of which the date is accurately ascertained on the prin¬ 
ciple already laid down. 
2. The anticlinal line of the Weald, ranging from Hastings 
to Petersfield, elevating the chalk strata of the Hogsback at 
a considerable angle, and apparently prolonged through the 
chalk by Winchester and N. of Salisbury to the anticlinal valley 
of Wardour. This is strictly parallel to the elevation of the 
Quantocks before the deposition of the magnesian lime. 
S. The anticlinal of the Yale of Pewsey, continued at Ham 
and Kingsclere. ( Geol . Trans., 2nd series, vol. ii.) 
Elie de Beaumont only assigns the systems of Corsica and 
Sardinia to this period, which range at right angles to the 
above specified direction, viz. N. and S. 
* For further details see the London and Edinburgh Phil. Mag. and Journ. 
fer Aug, 1832, p. 123, and June 1834, p. 404. 
