The Geology of this Tract of Country assumes two very distinct characters. First, the red sandstone, which our readers will recollect had prevailed from the neighbourhood of Banbury to near Ashbourne, and recommenced near Stockport, continues thence through Manchester to Chester, and by Liverpool to the neighbourhood of Lancaster; leaves off there, and recommences at Penrith, continuing to Dumfries. Secondly, the schistus or clay rock, which we had not before met with, commences a few miles beyond Lancaster, and continues throughout the hills and mountains of the lake district. The schistus on the west side of Yorkshire adjoining Lancashire is covered by thick beds of limestone, and sometimes alternates with beds both of limestone and sandstone; the same beds are continued into Lancashire towards the lake district. The schistus and the limestone strata rise at the same angle; but Mr. Bakewell, who is well acquainted with the country, informs us, in his Introduction to Geology, that the thick beds of schistus, or greywacke slate, are disposed to cleave or divide into partings nearly vertical, which have been mistaken for strata seams. Some modification of the greywacke may be said to form the prevailing rock of the lake district, but there is some granite near Shap in Westmoreland, and also near Wastewater. Good roofing slate is found in various ports of the lake district. In the district immediately surrounding the lakes, the beds of greywacke, roof slate, and felspar porphyry, which compose the higher mountains are more elevated and contorted than the schistus and limestone beds which range through the western side of Yorkshire into Lancashire.
