V.—On the Geology of Tor and Babbacombe Bays, Devon.

Abstract

The district to be noticed in this communication enables us to trace the disturbance of the Exeter red conglomerate, carboniferous limestone, and old red sandstone of the coasts of Tor and Babbacombe Bays, to the intrusion of trap rocks, subsequent to the formation of the Exeter red conglomerate. The following is a general sketch of the coast. There is no beach to the cliffs from near the Ness-point, at the mouth of the Teign, to Hope’s Nose, the northern point of Tor Bay, with the exception of the bottom of a few coves, and the Babbacombe-sands, and their continuation the Oddicombe-sands, both misnomers, for they are shingle beaches. The cliffs plunge directly into the sea, and are well seen only from a boat. The coast is equally bold from Hope’s Nose to Torquay, with the exception of Meadfoot-sands, which are, however, backed by a high broken hill. After passing the hill between Torquay and Tor Abbey, the coast assumes a milder character: the cliffs, where they occur, are of no great elevation; and there are extensive sands both at Paington and Goodrington, separated by Roundham Head. Further south, low cliffs intervene between Goodrington-sands and the Broad-sands. Beyond the low rocky land of Galmpton Point, the cliffs are bolder, and continue so to the Berry Head, being, in a few places, broken into coves, the most considerable of which is occupied by the harbour of Brixham. This range of coast is backed by hills, varying in height from 200 to 500