|
|
Page 156:-
[thin]ner; so that the clay-slate of the first division is
succeeded by limestone, sandstone, and coal, all in the distance
of two or three miles. The principal mineral production of this
limestone is iron ore, which is raised in great quantities near
Dalton, and also near Egremont.
Beyond the circumference of the limestone district, various kinds
of sandstone and coal succeed each other alternately; and a thin
seam of coal has been found interstratified with the limestone at
Hesket Newmarket; but it is easily understood, that it would be
in vain to look for coal within this limestone circle;
consequently it cannot be found in the neighbourhood of the
lakes. Coal is raised at Greysouthen, Gilcrux, and Plumbland; and
there are extensive fields of coal beneath the town of
Whitehaven, at Workington, and on the south side of the river
Ellen at Maryport. From Maryport towards Carlisle, and thence to
Penrith, is a large tract of red sandstone of unknown depth. To
the eastward, the plain of the Eden is bounded by a long range of
mountains, called by some the British Apennines, or the Backbone
of England. These mountains are stratified, but do not produce
coal in any valuable quantity, except at the northern end towards
Brampton. South-east, coal is found on Stainmoor; and more
southward, its first appearance is near Hutton Roof, between
Burton and Kirkby Lonsdale; and near Ingleton, there is an
extraordinary assemblage of slate, lime, and coal.
Bowlders are often met with, far removed from their native rock.
They are often seen at a considerable elevation on the side of a
valley opposite that from whence they have been produced; but do
not appear to have been carried over high mountain ridges. The
granite blocks from Shap Fells are scattered over a great part of
|
