CONTENTS. 
XXI. 
facts here disclosed.—Rule of increased size in the postdiluvian 
species not preserved throughout,—proofs given.—Table of Cave 
animals, and remarks on their habits.—Geology connected with 
other studies.—Importance of investigating the geology of a locality 
free from preconceptions. ... Page 13 to 105. 
Chapter III.— Alluvial Geology of, and recent Geological alterations 
in South Devon. —Method of elucidating the subject.—Difficulties 
which embarrass the investigation.—Height of the sea immediately 
after the flood.—Animals, and Vegetables of greater number in the 
time just following the Deluge, than in the preceding epoch,—the 
number of the former now reduced by human means.—Forests 
existed around the coast in former years,—discovery of these at 
low-water mark in the present day,—situation of these relics of 
present species prove that the sea has risen from its original level,— 
remains of the same kind inland,—which were cut down, or removed 
by the ancient inhabitants.—Old Buildings discovered submerged 
at Land’s End.—Islets off Great Britain formerly connected to 
main land.—Torbay originally a marshy tract.—The Bovey Heath- 
field formations are distinct in age from the submerged forests.— 
Assertion of William of Worcester, &c.—is incorrect.— More 
plausible notion relative to the period of the irruption,—supports 
to.—Nature of the elevation.—Raised beaches of the three south¬ 
western counties.—Particulars of the ancient beach on Plymouth 
Hoe.—Roman Galley found in excavating at Newnham Park.— 
Opinions of De la Beche relative to the raised beach on Plymouth 
Hoe &c.—Remarks thereon.—Nature of the sea’s retreat to its 
subsequent level.—Its precise height after retiring, as compared to 
its present level, cannot be rssolved,'—reasons for this found in the 
uncertain effects of existing agencies,—influence of the pressure 
of the Atlantic on our neighbouring sea, weighed.—Floods or 
irruptions in modem centuries ;—one in 1099.—Probable situation 
of our maritime churches when built.—Goodwyn sands.—Church'es 
of Perranzabuloe &c.—Possible way of reconciling discrepancy of 
views relative to the period of the great encroachment of the sea.— 
Effect of some modern encroachment, (that of 1099?) on Plympton 
St. Mary Church—Minor floods of our own day.—Effects of marine 
encroachments on our coast.—Geological influences on the neigh¬ 
bourhood of Plymouth by diminished volume of our rivers, and 
filling up of estuaries.—Dartmoor formerly contributed considerably 
more river water than now.—Conjoined influence of this diminished 
bulk of rivers, and general retreating of the sea, (as recently proved 
on the coast round Plymouth;)—one particular proof gathered 
from former site of Plympton St. Mary Church in regard of the 
Lara;—reason why the sea would retreat more slowly from such a 
position, than from the generality of the coast.—Quotations to shew 
proceedings of a like kind in other neighbourhoods, Exeter, 
Totries, &c.—Alluvial lands increasing;—possible mistake on this 
head.—Plymouth once peninsulated.—General conclusions named 
summarily.—Pebbles of our rivers and coast,—great power exerted 
