ABSTRACT
In a hilly country, such as Cornwall, Devon and a large part of West Somerset, the descent of this detritus can be seen to be taking place in all directions, more particularly during heavy rains. According to the quantity of water, slope of ground, and other necessary conditions, will it be seen to travel. During every rain over the district there is a general movement of the particles composing a large portion of its surface from their previous places to lower levels. The amount moved may be comparatively insignificant during a year or a century, but the cubic contents of that which descends to lower ground, during the lapse of a great geological period, must be very considerable. (De la Beche, 1839, p. 456)
J.Prestwich was another British geologist with a leaning towards fluvial explanations. He seems to have been deeply impressed with the denuding and transporting capacity of a flood which he observed on 4 February 1852.
