SOMERSETSHIRE. The geology of this fine county is rich in products valuable in the arts and manufactures. The great oolitic formation, which furnishes the fine-grained freestone commonly known as Bath Stone, has a thickness probably of 130 to 150 feet. Masses of this rock are found scattered on the slopes of the hills which it crowns, covering the subjacent clays and fullers' earth. The inferior oolite is extensively quarried in Dun dry Hill, where it yields a good freestone. The coal-measures, mountain limestone, and old red sandstone belong to the carboniferous group of the Somersetshire and South Glouces tershire coal-field, and occupy the northern part, of the county extending to the Mendip Hills, though covered in most places by more recent formations ; in this field are numerous coal-pits. The mineral treasures of the Men dip Bills aro important ; zinc is obtained abundantly in the central and western parts of the range. There are numerous coal-pits in the villages which lie north-west of Frome ; the coal seams are all thin ; hardly any exceed three feet.
Somersetshire possesses a soil and climate well suited to the growth of wheat and all the agricultural produce usually raised in any part of England. In some of the vales, such as the
extensive vale of Taunton, the soil is of a rich nature, and the wheat which is produced there is of superior quality. Excellent butter and cheese are made where the land is better adapted to pasture. The Cheddar cheese, which, from its superior quality, gives its name to a great portion of the cheese made in the county, is reckoned by many to be the best cheese made in England from pure milk, without any addition of cream: the real Ched dar cheese is consequently scarce, and bought up as soon as it is made. There are a few hops grown in the county, but no very ex tensive hop-gardens ; nor is there much cider made, although there are some good orchards.
In respect to the external commerce of Somersetshire, a little has been said under BRISTOL and BRIDGEWATER. Considerable manufactures are carried on, especially the clothing trade at Frome and its vicinity, the glove trade at Yeovil, &c.