The following table of slopes for different earths has been carefully compiled to indicate the probable permanent slope, but it should not be separately considered from the other chapters in this book, as circumstances modify even a considerable range of inclinations; for instance, earths that will be stable at a certain slope in temperate climates will require a much flatter slope in tropical or very cold countries. Those named are more especially for artificially deposited or embanked earths subject to vibration, and, therefore, in cuttings the slope might be steeper, although not so in aluminous soils or those in which the particles become decomposed upon exposure. In Chapter II., under the head of each kind of earth, the approximate slopes of repose are more exactly named, as they would occupy too much space in a table. When not mentioned in Chapter II. the slope is given. GENERAL NOTE.—The slopes must be flatter according to the amount of water in the same soil or to which it may be subject, the depth of a cutting and height of an embankment, and the presence of all other disturbing influences. _Vide_ Chapter V. for the safe maximum depth of cuttings or height of embankments. TABLE SHOWING THE GENERAL RANGE OF SLOPES. Description of Earth. Inclination. Peat moss, marsh earth, consolidated mud, silt, Horizontal to 4 to 1 hard peat turf, when loaded Alluvial soil 2 to 1 TO 3 to 1 Ditto. When wet about 4 to 1 Soft wet pasty clay in superficial beds 3 to 1 TO 4 to 1 Diluvial firm clay of river beds 2 to 1 TO 3 to 1 Alluvial soil. Loam and loamy earth. (Clay and 40 1½ to 1 TO 2 to 1 to 70 per cent. of sand) Ditto. Clay loams. (Clay and about 30 per cent. of sand) Ditto. When wet and crumbling 3 to 1 TO 4 to 1 Damp clay soil 3 to 1 Upheaved and intermixed beds of different sound 2 to 1 TO 3 to 1 clays Solid clay mixed with very fine sand 2 to 1 Sound yellow clay containing only the normal quantity of water, the surfaces covered after 2 to 1 TO 3 to 1 deposition Brown laminated clay, quickly affected by weather:— Surface covered 6 to 1 Surface exposed 12 to 1 Solid blue and firm clays, marl and indurated 1½ to 1 TO 2 to 1 marl, and boulders imbedded in sand and gravel Soft chalk, impure and argillaceous 1½ to 1 TO 2 to 1 Ditto. In cuttings ½ to 1 TO 1 to 1 Hard white chalk, having greater density than the 1 to 1 TO 1¼ to 1 preceding. Ditto. In cuttings Nearly vertical TO ½ to 1