90 
PROCEEDINGS OV SOCIETIES. 
The Rev. Mr. Thorp then proceeded to read a paper i( On the Geology of the 
Neighbourhood of Sheffield.” The paper was illustrated by sections and plans, to 
which the Rev. gentleman made frequent reference, and without which any sketch 
of the paper would not be intelligible to our readers. We must also add, that 
when he turned to the plan, the reader’s remarks were very imperfectly heard in 
the body of the room. He observed, that the geological features of this neigh¬ 
bourhood were replete with interest. On the West were the great masses of 
Carboniferous Limestone, abounding in marine exuvise; on the North were seen 
fine natural sections of rocks; on the East were seen the effects of enormous 
subterraneous force, by which solid rocks had been tossed up and down; and on 
the South were stores of most valuable Coal and Ironstone, facilitating the 
production of those articles for which this neighbourhood was unrivalled. Into 
the particulars of the paper we do not venture to enter, since we cannot hope to 
give them accurately. He adverted to the opinions brought by Mr. Hartop before 
the British Association, and at a former meeting of this Society, as to the 
difference between the strata on the North and South sides of the river Don. 
The section exhibited showed the Coal measures dipping Southward from the 
river, and Northward from the river; but between the points of the differing 
inclinations, there appeared several faults or breaks in an upward direction. 
These, he argued, must have been produced by a vertical action, and combatted 
the opinion that a lateral motion could have produced the effect. 
Mr. Hartop said, as he had only last night been informed of the character of 
the paper to be read, he had not come prepared with those plans, &c., which were 
necessary to support the supposition which had been combatted .by Mr. Thorp. 
He would remark, however, that the dislocation of the Coal measures, pointed 
out by Mr. Thorp, was improperly called a fault. It was a general movement 
of a great mass of strata containing many faults. He also pointed out one 
particular, in which he maintained that Mr. Thorp’s section of the strata was 
greatly incorrect. He argued, too, that Mr. Thorp had not made due allowance 
for the height of the hills to the North of the river Don. Mr. Hartop also 
dwelt for some time on the Ironstone strata, and the identity of one particular 
stratum at several places. He called attention to the fact, that at Meadow Hall, 
and near the line of the railway, there yet remained erect a projecting rock, 
which led to the conclusion, that all the soil and rock about it had been carried 
away by the torrent, while it, owing to a greater capacity of resistance, yet stood. 
He argued also, on the testimony of Dr. Smith and other geologists, that it was 
no unusual thing to find large masses of strata completely overturned. He con¬ 
tended, however, that mere sections and plans were insufficient to render the 
subject intelligible, which could only be done by wooden models, and such he 
hoped at a future time to produce. In the present case he argued there were not 
