Page:Transactions of the Geological Society, 1st series, vol. 4.djvu/115



By Rev. W. BUCKLAND,

Read March 28th, 1815.

EW rocks in this country present in a small compass a structure more complicated and difficult to be understood than those which occupy a small district in Cumberland and Westmoreland, on the east side of Appleby, between the villages of Melmerby and Murton, which I visited in September, 1814, accompanied by my friend G. B. Greenough, Esq.

The town of Appleby is situated about 12 miles from the upper extremity of the great plain through which the rivers Eden and Petteril have their course, and which continues across Solway Frith into Scotland, increasing considerably in breadth on the north of Carlisle.

The stratum composing the greater part of this Plain is a red sandstone affording gypsum in many places. Its breadth near Carlisle from east to west is about 15 miles, but it becomes gradually contracted as it approaches the south till it terminates near Brough and Kirkby Stephen, being encircled by hills more elevated and of higher antiquity.