DILUVIUM. 
77 
schorl, and several sorts of trapp. Diluvium is seen 
to the greatest advantage on our cliffs, where, 
through the ceaseless destruction committed by the 
waves, sections both of the rocks, and superincum¬ 
bent soil are exhibited to the geologist. At Bovey- 
sand, in addition to the diluvial bodies just named, 
pebbles of calcedony, chalk flints, and agates (the 
two last having occasional impressions oipolypijers , 
and being no doubt similar to those in the direction 
of Haldon) are far from uncommon ; these were no 
doubt carried by the waters from their native beds 
at some distance. The general body however is 
composed of clay,with an affinity of minute fragments 
of schist crammed or compressed together with 
wonderful consolidation as the effect of its own 
gravity through a long period; here and there 
scattered through the mass, appears a pebble of flint, 
trapp, schorl, or granite, similar to those accumula¬ 
ted in other spots with a less quantity of clay. In 
one part, this diluvium is composed only of sand, 
and a few pebbles firmly consolidated. In another 
spot the clay is wanting, having perhaps in the 
lapse of time escaped from between the large peb¬ 
bles by their weight and by its own tendency to be 
dislodged from impending positions. To some, this 
last kind of accumulation might wear the appearance 
of an ancient beach, but, its connexion with the 
whole range of diluvium just spoken of should be 
borne in mind, and the following are sufficient 
reasons for considering the entire mass as of that 
nature, and not the remnants of an ancient beach— 
the presence of clay in abundance,—the presence of 
the transported pebbles, (not only agates and flints, 
but, such as granite, &c.) above named,—the com¬ 
mixture of the various components,—the situation of 
the mass in small hollows of the rock,—the presence 
of a preponderance of small bits of schist,—the ex¬ 
istence of exactly the same accumulations in-land, 
and lastly, their various elevations. 
