Conclusion. 



The sub-divisions of the new red sandstone, but more particularly of 

 the bunter fonnation, is a subject that soon may become of considerable 

 economical importance. At the present time, when the consumption 

 of coal is so immense that the period of its comparative scarcity must 

 be drawing nearer, and it being generally considered almost certain 

 that under the new red sandstone system throughout England, the coal 

 measures are spread out entire ; it is even now becoming an important 

 question as to how far we may be able to avail ourselves of such sup- 

 plies by sinking through the bunter sandstone ; and resting upon the 

 strong probability of such concealed treasures existing under the new 

 red sandstone of this neighbourhood, it is very desirable to know whicli 

 are the best positions for ascertaining the fact, in case of such au 

 investigation being carried out by boring through the superincumbent 

 strata. 



If these estimates of thickness and the extent of fractures caused by 

 the faults are correct, we find that, although it would be extremely 

 injudicious to sink through the keuper, or the upper sub-divisions of 

 the bunter, yet by doing so in those places where the basement beds 

 are brought to the surface by faults, it is very probable that workable 

 beds of coal would be reached at a moderate depth ; but before entering 

 upon such an undertaking, due allowance must be made as to the 

 possibility of permian strata intervening, or au unprofitable thickness 

 of the upper coal measures to be passed through. 



The absence of the permian strata in this neighbourhood is a most 

 important circumstance in connection with this subject. If it had 

 existed beneath the new red sandstones we might have expected some 

 indication of it along the margin of the coal strata to the east of Liver- 

 pool, or more especially between Huyton and Sutton, the coal measures 

 having been thrown up three times in that direction, but there is no 

 trace of it. 



The sub-divisions having been clearly made out, the spots are indi- 

 cated where we must either find the permian or the coal measures, 

 upon boring some 400 or 500 feet through the basement beds of the 

 new red sandstones. 



The other paper for the evening was then read — 



Additional Observations on Ice Impediments to Australian 

 Voyages, and the probable fate of the " Guiding Star ;" by 

 J. T. Towson, Esq. 



