1894-95-] Geological Notes from Arran. 125 



shore in situ, and are for the most part of a brick-red colour, 

 simply spotted all over with more or less circular patches of 

 a pale-green colour, due probably to the presence of an iron 

 silicate, while the iron in the red part is still in the form of 

 the red oxide. The phenomenon is common enough in red 

 sandstone, but here it is particularly striking, and I have a 

 specimen from the spot. These mottled sandstones, I am 

 informed, are characteristic of sandstones which have been 

 laid down under inland-sea or lagoon conditions. 



For those who are desirous of fossil-hunting in Arran I 

 can recommend a visit to the old disused limestone quarry at 

 Corrie. The quarry is in the form of large caves hollowed 

 out of the hillside, and the limestone, which is of an impure 

 quality, occurs in bands with marly layers interstratified, 

 and overlaid by sandstones. The strike of the beds is 35° 

 W. of S., or nearly N.E. and S.W., and the dip about 36° 

 towards the S.E. The most plentiful fossil is Productus 

 giganteus, which is met with in hundreds of thousands. It 

 is difficult, however, to find a perfect specimen. After a good 

 deal of trouble I managed to get one entire from a weathered 

 fragment. I also found Productus scabriculus, Spirifer striatus, 

 a fish-tooth, and a large impression of a species of nautilus, 

 also orthoceras, and a few others. 



I may just notice the patch of Old Eed Sandstone on which 

 the village of Sannox stands. Its presence at this point is 

 due to an anticline or arch-like fold in the strata. The 

 Carboniferous sandstones on the south boundary dip towards 

 the S.E., while those on the north boundary dip to the N~.W. 

 — that is to say, in opposite directions — showing that these 

 rocks at one time were continued over the top of the arch, 

 but owing to agents of detrition the summit of the fold has 

 been removed, exposing the older red sandstones beneath. 



In conclusion, I hope these observations may have proved 

 of some interest. They serve to illustrate how one's rambles 

 in holiday-time may be made to furnish instruction as well 

 as exercise. Though to many people a bag of specimens 

 brought home at the end of the day may appear so much 

 rubbish, still I think you will admit there is something to be 

 learned even from a few handfuls of " knappit stanes." 



