EXPLANATION OF THE PLATES.

xxi

Plate XXXV. Coast of Dorsetshire , and Portland Island, from Worth harrow. yf

T. W. del.

This view, looking westward, is taken from the site of an ancient encampment on theedge of a precipice of great height, which terminates the range of chalk hills thatextend from Handfast point through Corfe castle. From this point to the farthestchalk cliffs seen in the view at White Nore, they are more than half cut through bythe sea: and in some places the sea has worn through the hills entirely, forming thusa number of small bays, the sides of which exhibit similar sections. The bay in thepresent view, included between the detached rocks in the sea and the foreground, isWorth barrow bay, the road down to which is just beyond the projecting point ofchalk. The rocks in the sea, bounding the bay, are the Purbeck beds covering theoolite. The long hill in the middle of the view is called Swine’s back, beyond whichis West Lulworth. The isle of Portland is seen in the distance, joined to the main landby the Chesil bank, which is relieved light from the sea. Weymouth road is markedby the vessels at anchor. The upper part of the isle of Portland is precipitous ; thelower part is a steep slope covered with grass. See page 183.

Plate XXXVI. No. 1. Durdle Cove with Barn Door. T. W. del. \

This is one of the numerous small bays just mentioned, in the side of which may beseen a section of all the strata from the flinty chalk to the Portland. The firststratum is denoted by the vertical layers of Hints in the left hand corner of the view ;the advancing point in the middle is the green sand, between which and the chalkwith flints, is the chalk without (lints, and the chalk marl. The Portland is thestratum nearly vertical, and perforated in so remarkable a manner. The Purbeckstrata are those numerous thin beds that lean upon the last; and the ferruginous sandis the part of the clill'the farthest removed. This bay is therefore not more curiousfrom its picturesque natural arch, for which it is frequently visited by parties fromWeymouth , than for its geological interest, containing in a small compass anepitome of a considerable portion of the series of English secondary strata. Seepage 194.

No. 2. Arish Mell in Worth barrow Bay, T. W. del.

This view is taken from the beach at the middle of the bay where the road leadsdown from Lulworth castle ; and its object is to shew more distinctly the profile ofthe hills that are cut in half by the sea, with the dip of the strata composing them.

In the distance is the isle of Portland, and the same detached rocks as in Plate XXXV.

See page 184.