181 



X. — On some Trails and Holes found in rocks of the Car- 

 boniferous Strata, with remarks on the Microconchus 

 carbonarius. 



By E. W. BiNNEY. 



iRead April 6tA, 1862.] 



Notwithstanding the great attention that has of late years 

 been bestowed by geologists in investigating the state and 

 condition of our globe at the time of the formation of the 

 carboniferous strata, much yet remains to be done. Every 

 fact connected with the subject, however trivial it may at 

 first sight appear, deserves to be recorded. The collectors of 

 fossil shells and plants were for a long time considered by the 

 practical collier as mere curiosity hunters, whose labours 

 would do little to guide him in determining the regular suc- 

 cession of strata or the origin of the coal itself. But the time 

 has arrived when fossil organic remains have their use in the 

 mind of the intelligent miner as well as of the distinguished 

 palaeontologist, by affording valuable assistance in identifying 

 beds at different places when the deposits themselves are so 

 changed in appearance as not to be recognized. Doubtless 

 they require to be used in conjunction with other facts, such 

 as the mechanical condition of rocks, and various circum- 

 stances; but still, their value is now so generally allowed 

 that it will not require any further argument from me for its 

 support. 



In this communication it is my object to direct attention to 

 the markings which appear upon the surfaces of certain rocks 

 belonging to the carboniferous strata. The subject has not 

 particularly engaged the minds of English geologists ; indeed, 



