XXIV

EXPLANATION OF THE PLATES.

Plate XL. St. Adhelm’s Head. T. W. del.

P m

This bold promontory has a very imposing appearance in every direction. Thepresent sketch is taken from the sea, looking to the north. The upper half of the cliffis composed of the oolite stratum, which is separated by immense lissures into squaremasses, many of which are almost detached, and just ready to fall; not many yardsfrom the edge of the precipice, stands St. Adhelm’s chapel, the top of which is justseen in the view. The whole of the base is covered with vast blocks that havetumbled down, and the rocks projecting into the water for a great way shew how muchof this headland has been destroyed by the furious sea to which it is exposed. Thisdestruction is much owing to the nature of the lower stratum of the cliff, which agreeswith that at Kimmeridge, and consists chiefly of shale. To the left are the cliffs thatextend to the Windspit quarries. See page 188.

Plate XLI. St. Adhelms Chapel. T. W. del.

This small edifice, no accurate drawing of which has as yet been published, must beof considerable antiquity, although its date is not known; the door-way is in theSaxon style of architecture. It stands quite detached from every other building, andits situation on the top of the cliff is extremely exposed. Part of the roof had fallenin, but it has been lately repaired by the present proprietor. See page 189.

9

T. W. del. \ I

\

Plate XLII. St. Adhelm's Chapel, Plan , £{c.

Fig. 1 represents the ground plan of St. Adhelm’s chapel. It is exactly square,and without any window’s except a small loop hole that looks to the sea. In the centreis a massy pier with pilasters that supports the roof.

Fig. 2. is the elevation of the north side, the perspective view of which is repre-sented in PI. XLI. The small circular basement to some superstructure on thetop was discovered during the late repair. It might perhaps have served to supportsome sort of beacon.

Fig. 3 is the section of the chapel taken through the centre of the groins next thedoor. The arches are very low pointed, and composed of portions of circles havingtheir centres a little above the springing of the arch, which gives it something of theMoorish character, a circumstance rare, though not unique, in Saxon architecture.The building is constructed of stone from the stratum on which it stands, and theworkmanship is well executed.

Fig. 4 shews more at large the mouldings on the outside of the door.

Fig. 5, 6. Front and section of the circular pieces of Kimmeridge coal called Coal money. See page 191,