. The earth and its inhabitants .. . rom time to time theyyield to the pressure and are broken into fragments. A remarkable case of thiskind occurred during a violent storm in 1764, when a rock known as LotsWife disappeared beneath the foaming waves. In geological structure these* Ramsay, Physical Geology and Geography of Great Britain. 126 THE BRITISH ISLES. superb rocks resemble the cliffs of Purbeck, about 15 miles due west of image impresses itself firmly on the minds of many emigrants, and thousandsamongst them, when these objects vanish from their sight, have looked upon Europ
. The earth and its inhabitants .. . rom time to time theyyield to the pressure and are broken into fragments. A remarkable case of thiskind occurred during a violent storm in 1764, when a rock known as LotsWife disappeared beneath the foaming waves. In geological structure these* Ramsay, Physical Geology and Geography of Great Britain. 126 THE BRITISH ISLES. superb rocks resemble the cliffs of Purbeck, about 15 miles due west of image impresses itself firmly on the minds of many emigrants, and thousandsamongst them, when these objects vanish from their sight, have looked upon Europefor the last time in their lives. The southern portion of the Isle of Wight is oneof the most picturesque districts in England. St. Catherines Down, the mostelevated summit of the island, rises near its southern angle to a height of 830feet, and commands an immense horizon, extending from Portland Bill to BeachyHead, and sometimes even beyond the Channel with its numerous ships, to the Fig. 69.—The Isle of 1: 420, Depth under 5 Fathoms. 5 to 10 Fathoms 10 to 20 Fathoms Over 20 Fathoms. 5 Miles. hazy promontories of Cotentin, in France. To the east of this angular landmarkthe coast sinks abruptly, but along its foot there extends a singular strip, orterrace, of considerable width, which has fallen down from the upper part of thecliff, and is hence known as the Undercliff. This tract is perfectly sheltered fromnortherly winds; myrtles, geraniums, and other delicate plants flourish therethroughout the winter ; and Yentnor and other places of less note afford accom-modation to invalids whose state of health requires a milder climate than is to befound in other parts of England.* The nature of the soil sufficiently accountsfor the existence of this Undercliff. The subjacent beds, consisting of sand * James Thome, The Land we Live in. THE CHANNEL SLOPE. 127 and clay, were undermined by the action of the rain, and the superincumbentmasses of rock were precipitated
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Keywords: ., bookcentury1800, bookdecade1880, booksubjectgeography, bookyear18
