62 REPORT—1846. 
The specimen described was discovered in the shale between Hay Head and 
Walsall, which is now being cut through for a canal, and is the only example that 
has yet been obtained of this very fine and remarkable fossil. 
Mr. James Yates exhibited a series of specimens of Zamia Gigas (Lindley’s Fossil 
Flora, iii. 165), from Runswick, near Whitby, and offered some observations on 
the apparent structure and connection of the several parts of the plant. 
On the Mushet Band, commonly called the Black-band Ironstone of the 
Coal-field of Scotland. By Roserr Batp, 
This band of ironstone was discovered, about forty years ago, by Mr. David 
Mushet, of the Calder Iron-works, near Glasgow. It had been frequently passed 
through, but was thrown away as rubbish till Mr. Mushet ascertained its value, 
when extensive mines were opened for working it. Two bands of this ironstone are 
found in the great coal-fields of Lanark,—one fourteen inches thick; the other, 
which is seventy-three fathoms lower, is sixteen inches thick. The ironstone of 
the Mushet band is much more easily reducible than the ordinary clay ironstone, 
and requires less fuel. In Scotland it appears to be co-extensive with the coal for- 
mation. In South Wales also it is found; but there is little of it in England or 
Ireland. Fifty years ago there were only five iron-works in Scotland, comprising 
about fifteen blast furnaces, which, together, produced 540 tons of iron per week. 
There are now 100 blast furnaces in action, which produce 12,000 tons per week, 
or 624,000 tons in the year, the value of which, at £3 per ton, is £1,872,000. 
This great increase Mr. Bald attributed to the discovery of the Mushet ironstone, 
and to the introduction of the hot-blast. He also mentioned that Mr. Mushet, 
who is now in his seventieth year, has published a yolume on the manufacture of 
iron, containing an analysis of every ironstone and ore he could obtain; and he 
trusted his labours would, at least, be recognized in scientific societies, although the 
pecuniary advantage arising from his discoveries had fallen into other hands. ‘ 
On the Extent of the Northwich Salt-field. 
By G. Warzine Onmenon, 4.A,, F.G.S. 
The prevailing direction of the faults in the coal-field of South Lancashire ap- 
proaches to the magnetic north and south. Of those faults some extend to the new 
red sandstone of Cheshire, under which they probably pass; others can be traced 
across the new red’sandstone. Of the last, one passes in a magnetic north and 
south direction through the coal-field of Lancashire, by the west of Wrightington 
and Haydock-lodge, and Warrington. Here it enters on the new red sandstone of 
Cheshire, and passes by the west of Hill Cliff and Northwich, forming the south- 
western boundary of the Northwich salt-field. At Barnton and Hartford to the 
west of this line of fault rock-salt has not been discoyered, though sunk for to the 
depths of 300 and 400 feet respectively, At Northwich, to the eas¢ of the line, rock- 
salt occurs, as shown in the following section, 
Feet, Inches, Feet. 
To upper Salt, ADOUt .......eeeeee ceeceee nesses eenecnes . 87 
Upper salt, £501 —no.precpoccscopernsposescrvape caress we OD 0 ft 7a 
Hard clay ...... Vepcs bac heeceee Senececeecesecantecreeecare 30° 9 
Second salt, from  .....esseeeeesseere a nageeteaebagere 96 Oto + 117 
DIGUE | <secscon eshte Ss ELue op Sadanee Aap eee TEEEEERPOEEE 5's 
Salt and clay .,...++.+- Sa nee nT 
LTE TIT | il A Sa, Se SR PR pe re le 
Stone with thin laminz of salt ............ cadens cease is. 9 
Pale red salt ...,... ee Aner Teles: ae = ae 
Stone with veins of salt.........+errecrereceee ouiae sce iit Aapege 
Lowest bed of salt reached ......++++ Ra eaniys- ntl & iets! 
SPOT a Pe eps nel Paap cepa Se PRN 77 a 
Stone with detached crystals of salt .......... 44+ leew. Lapis | 
Stone with salt between amine ..,...... Sens sean Cee 
This fault is continued between Middlewich and Winsford. At Middlewich the 
