Section in gravel-pit, Kempsey.
Surface of ground. ft. in.
(1) Light-red loam, with a few pebbles 2 0
(2) Dark-red loam and pebbles 2 0
(3) Dark-red sand 0 3
(4) Fine light-red sand and gravel 1 10
(5) Light-red sand 0 3
(6) Fine light-red sand (obliquely laminated) and gravel 1 0
(7) Dark-red sand 0 3
(8) Fine light-red sand (laminated obliquely), gravel, and large pebbles 1 0
(9) Red sand 0 3
(10) Fine light-red gravel and sand (obliquely laminated) 1 6
(11) Red sand, containing lumps of red marl 0 9
(12) Fine gravel and sand, containing a large proportion of greenish-coloured pebbles, with many large pebbles intermixed 2 0
(13) Clean red sand and shingly gravel, containing pebbles about the size of a bean 1 6
Uneven surface of basement rock of red marl.
14 7
Section in a gravel-pit near Haivforcl Bridge.
A compact bed of gravel, made up of large and small pebbles of the ordinary type ; and dark-red loamy sand. In the upper part of the bed were carbonaceous seams, about 2 inches thick, dipping at a slight angle towards the river 15 0
New red marl.
Composition of the gravel. — The pebbles which form the chief constituents of the gravels of the Severn valley between Bewdley and Tewkesbury are composed of a greenish slaty-coloured rock, containing veins of white quartz, the presence of which distinguishes them in great measure from the " general quartzose drift " of the Avon district, of white quartz, felstone, and a few flints. The occurrence of boulders and pebbles of grey pophyritic granite is most frequent in the upper portions of the valley.
Modern alluvium. — This deposit appears to be the only one of proved freshwater origin which has hitherto been found in the Severn valley between Shrewsbury and Tewkesbury. It consists of a bed of silt, to all appearance like that of the Avon valley. Mr. Maw has kindly supplied me with the following details of a boring made near the edge of the river's bank, close by Buildwas railway bridge.
ft. in.
(1) Vegetable soil 1
(2) Stiff loam (Loess) 8 6
(3) Running sand 2
(4) Gravel similar to that at Buildwas station. Freshwater mussels 4 6
16
Basement rock Wenlock shale, at a depth of 7 ft. below the river's surface.
