[ 10 ]

CHAPTER II.

GENERAL SURVEY OF THE COAST, AND ACCOUNT OF THE SOLENT SEA.

Hay ing mentioned the most remarkable hills, as well as theprincipal circumstances relative to the extent and inclination ofthe valleys of the island, it may not be improper to take a generalsurvey of the appearances of the coast.

Beginning at West Cowes, and proceeding westward, thecoast, as far as the mouth of the Newtown inlet, consists of steepslopes of mouldering soil, principally clay covered with brush-wood except where the rapidity of its destruction by the actionof landsprings, united with that of the sea, permits nothing beyondaquatic weeds to grow. In several parts the strata of stone whichare every where mixed with the clay, support the latter so asto form perpendicular faces of moderate height.

About Newtown the coast is low, but rises again in a mannersimilar to the former part, between that place and Yarmouth.To the west of Yarmouth the coast is high and steep. Colwellbay has mouldering slopes; but Tolland bay is mostly inclosedby perpendicular cliffs of very considerable elevation. Theseconsist of clay, sand, and rock, in horizontal strata. Allum bayis formed, on the eastern part, by an assemblage of most grotesquepointed cliffs of variously-coloured clay and sand in vertical strata,continually mouldering, and without vegetation ; and which riseto the height of at least three hundred feet. The southern side