THE country round Bournemouth consists of a wedge-shaped plateau, lying between the River Stour and the sea, and ranging roughly from 100 to 200 feet above sea-level. Of the numerous valleys which intersect it, those that join the Stour present as a rule no special features, but most of those running down to the sea are of exceptional character and are known as chines—a term which does not admit of very accurate definition, but is generally applied only to valleys of more than usual steepness.