139 



The members were met at the Radstock station by Mr. 

 McMtjrtrie, mineral agent to Lady Waldegeave, whose inti- 

 mate acquaintance with the district tinder review, aided by 

 admirable diagrams, and a clear and well marshalled explanation 

 of facts,rendered that easy of comprehension, which, without 

 such guidance, could not have been apprehended by any inter- 

 preter of mere surface geology. 



Not the least remarkable fact in connection with this coal-field 

 is the circumstance of the coal having to be sought for through 

 a considerable thickness of overlying deposits, ranging from 

 the " Keuper " to the " Inferior Oolite," through which shafts 

 of varying depth have to be sunk, to reach the coals below. 

 According to the calculations of Mr. Charles Mooke, F.G.S., 

 the minimum thickness of "Keuper," "Lias," and "Oolite," 

 overlying the coal measures in the Radstock district, is only 

 160 feet, as contrasted with 3000 feet outside of that area. The 

 supposed cause being the existence of the Mendips as a land 

 area which partially prevented the incursion of the secondary 

 deposits. 



After leaving the Radstock station, the members were con- 

 ducted to the "Wells-Hill" quarry immediately adjoining, 

 where they had an opportunity of examining a section about 

 30 feet in thickness, showing the "Lower Lias " resting on the 

 « Sun-bed " and " White Lias " of the " Rhretic " series. 



The party next proceeded to South Hill, Radstock, the 

 residence of Mr. Mc.Mueteie, Avhere they inspected a collection 

 of fossils, accumulated for many years by that gentleman. It 

 embraced specimens from all the principal divisions between 

 the " Cambrian," and the " Chalk," and amongst them. Dr. 

 Wright detected two Ammonites which had not been figured 

 or described. The principal feature of the collection, however, 

 was a series of beautifully preserved specimens of plants, from 

 the Somersetshire Coal-measures, which display a fossil flora of 

 greater variety than is to be met with in any other coal- field 

 in this country. The " fauna " of the district is not rich, but 

 one or two fine specimens of " Limuliis" were found a few years 

 ago by the late Mr. Gr. Feare, of Camerton, and one of these 



