Excursion to Lewes. August 6th, 1862 - Geologists' Association excursion
| From: A record of excursions made between 1860 and 1890. Edited by Thomas Vincent Holmes , F.G.S. and C. Davies Sherborn, F.G.S. London: Edward Stanford [For the Geologists’ Association], 1891. Source: Cornell University copy on the Internet Archive (Public domain work) |
The first visit took place on August 6th, 1862; a report may be seen in Proc., vol. i. pp. 274-7. The party conducted by Captain Noble, of Mansfield, visited Lewes Castle, after which they proceeded to the Chalk quarries at Southerham, and later ascended Mount Caburn, descending again into Lewes by way of the "Coombe." The writer of the report remarks that numerous sinkings have shown the alluvial deposits of Lewes Levels to consist of :
- Bog-earth and peat, with leaves of hazel, oak, and birch, enclosing large trunks of trees. This bed is almost 5 ft. thick.
- Blue clay, with fresh-water shells of the same species as those now inhabiting the Ouse and neighbouring ditches, and the indusia of caddis-worms. Bones of horses and deer have been found at the bottom.
- Clay containing fresh-water shells.
- Blue clay enclosing marine shells. The skull of a narwhal, and one of a porpoise, have been obtained from this deposit. These last three beds combined vary from three to thirty feet in thickness. Finally, there is a bed of pipe-clay, evidently derived from the subjacent chalk.
Another excursion to Lewes was made on April 22nd, 1867, during the cessation of the issue of Proceedings.]
Maps
Ordnance Survey. Geological. Sheet 9. 8s. 6d. New Ordnance Survey. Sheets 318, 319. Is. each. The Health Guide Map for Brighton (Geological), by A. Haviland. London. 1882.
Books
W. Topley, Geology of Weald, 8vo, London (Geol. Surv.). 1875. 28s.
G. A. Mantell (see p. 120).
F. Dixon, Geology of Sussex, 1850; and ed. 2, 1878.
E. Mackey, Climate and Geology of Brighton, Trans. Brighton Health Congress, 1881 (1883), p. 57.