Outlines of mineralogy and geology ... / [William Phillips].

  • Phillips, William, 1775-1828
Date:
1816
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Outlines of mineralogy and geology ... / [William Phillips]. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    almost uiih ersal. But it was no longer ago than in the last year^ that a geological investigation of certain districts in our corni- gave an evidence, in most points, perfectly coin- ciding with the observations of Cuvier, in regard to the chalk basin of Paris. The minutiae of this investigation were detailed in a very interesting communication to the Geological Society, since published in the 2d volume of its Transactions. At present we cannot do mote than notice its results. It appears that in this country there are two chalk basins, in a greater or lesser degree resembling that of Paris. One of them is called the Isle of Wight basin; the otlier, the London basin. The Isle of Wight basin comprehends the district be- tween Newport in that island on the south, South- ampton on the north, Brighton on the east, and Dor- chester on the west. The strata which cover the chalk in this district, are individually and collectively of va- rious thicknesses ; occasionally only two or three of them hre found, and sometimes only one of them; but there is one place on the southern edge of this basin, which proves beyond a doubt that the same causes which operated in the Paris basin, extended their influence to the Isle of Wight, and probably at the same period of time. The place to which I allude is Headen Hill, forming a part of Alum Bay, near the western angie of the Isle of Wight. Of this hill, which is about 300 feet high, a natural section has been laid open, since its deposition, « By T. Webster, M.G.S.