Thomas Wiltshire

“ Geologists are divided in opinion with respect to this deep-sunk red bed, which certainly is not always continuous (for instance, it was not found at a boring at Harwich) , and some incline to the opinion that it belongs to the New Red, others that it is the equivalent of what is styled the Red Chalk. But it is difficult to give a solution at present. It is certain that in the gault formation, or near it, beds of a red colour are occasionally found. Near Dorking the lower greensand is capped by a local bed of bright red clay, eight feet thick. ”

“ Geologists generally consider the Red Chalk as really equal to the Gault. Many of the fossils certainly are gault species; others no doubt belong to the Lower Chalk; and, therefore, probably it is better to regard it as an intermediate formation between the Lower Chalk and the Lower Greensand, which comes into being when the Gault and Upper Greensand have almost thinned out. ”

“ If the strictly scientific workers see we wish to acquire information, rather than to purchase an empty name, they will hold out the right hand of fellowship and help us mightily; whilst, on the contrary, if they perceive we aspire too much, and attempt to grasp what we cannot hold, then well-merited ridicule will undoubtedly be ours. ”

“ Some persons might suppose when they see the map, that if they were to travel to any of the towns or villages near the line, they would of necessity be able to see the Red Chalk in sitû. No such thing; the upper soil, or vegetation, or man's work, may quite conceal all traces. It is only at natural sections like the cliffs just spoken of, or by other means, such as wells, &c., that we can acquire a true idea of the ground beneath us. ”

“ In conclusion, I have endeavoured all along to confine myself to facts, and to abstain from theories, because I think the Geologists' Association ought rather to follow in the steps of learned men than to wish to take the lead. ”

“ The specimens as yet obtained are not sufficiently numerous nor perfect for a rigid comparison with other forms, or to admit of a sufficiently detailed description should the species prove to be new. The constricted form of growth is very common in the Parasmilia of the Upper Chalk, and has no specific value.
The characteristic fossils of the Red Chalk at Speeton are Terebratula semiglobosa, Belemnites minimus, and Vermicularia elongata; and at Hunstanton, Terebratula biplicata, Belemnites minimus, and Spongia paradoxica. ”

“ I do so because at that village there is a most excellent natural section of the Red Chalk, [Pg 9] better almost than at Speeton, and different certainly in many respects.
We will suppose that we have arrived at Hunstanton, and are walking towards the shore in front of the Le Strange Arms. A very few minutes will convey us to the wonderful cliff. I say wonderful, not from its height or length; for at its greatest height, under the lighthouse, it is not more than sixty feet; and it extends little more than a mile in length; but wonderful from its curious colour and general effect. ”

“ I trust the members will always use the opportunity, and not be afraid to speak, ever remembering that each one has some little knowledge which his neighbour has not, and that when each helps his fellow, much must be the gain at last. ”

“ These last are occasionally very large: when I was at Hunstanton, in the autumn, I found an example two feet in diameter; with great difficulty I extricated it from its matrix, breaking it in half during the operation; and, finally, had the mortification of discovering that its weight was so great I could not carry it away.
The Red Chalk beneath, which is nearly four feet in thickness, is very full of fossils: belemnites, serpulæ, terebratulæ, corals, and many others, not to mention bones. The number of specimens on the table will testify to its richness in organic remains. ”

“ The fossils will best be developed at leisure. The material is so hard, and the fossils so brittle (especially the belemnites and serpulæ) , that imperfect specimens only will result from the quick and rough treatment of the hammer. The "find" will not produce any very great variety, only numbers; terebratulæ, serpulæ, and belemnites will be all that will be obtained. ”