in the Greensand of the Isle of Wight. 



311 



2f inches and 



Block 2 is a large block, weighing 2>\ cwt., and 

 has confused impressions, apparently of feet of a 

 large three-toed creature, which has trodden more 

 than once on the same mark. There is also a very 

 plain footmark of a triangular form about 2 inches broad, 

 apparently of an animal whose foot has three soft promi- 

 nences. 



Block 3 bears the deep impression of apparently a web- 

 footed creature, having three toes set somewhat 

 obliquely ; the right toe being much the thickest, 

 but shortest. All three toes had claws, and the 

 angles between them measure about 20° and 35° 

 respectively, the larger angle being between the 

 middle toe and the short thick toe. The ex- 

 treme length from the middle toe to the tapered 

 " heel " is 2| inches. There are other not easily 

 described impressions on this stone also. 



Block 4 contains a deep impression of the 

 footstep of a quadruped, not much unlike 

 that which would have been left by a large 

 dog. It measures in length 

 in breadth 2^ inches. 



Block 5 has an impression something simi- 

 lar to the one on block 4. 



Block 6 shows the footmark of a three-toed animal 

 (toes broad and short, and making angles of about 

 50° with each other), and from the sharpness of 

 the narrowed heel may be compared to a fleur- 

 de-lis. 



The above blocks have been detached from the superposed 

 freestone, by their having fallen from the cliff during a land- 

 slip ; and having lodged below high-water mark, the constant 

 action of the surge and shingle, perhaps for centuries, has 

 denuded the ancient surface of the rag, leaving however por- 

 tions of the freestone in the footmarks above-described. 



It is extremely difficult to separate the lower portion of the 

 freestone from the rag; they in general are so gradually 

 blended, that it is not easy, in cutting, to ascertain which really 

 is the surface of the rag. My attempts to clear other portions 

 of the bed, when aided by experienced masons, were a com- 

 plete failure. 



On many surfaces of the ragstone, which have been cleaned 

 by the action of the waves, vast quantities of gigantic mollusks 

 are visible ; and indeed I at first mistook the confused mark- 

 ings on Block 2 for the remains of a " lobated Siphonia," until 



