154 Dr Paterson on the Fossil Org-anic Remains 



right to make particular mention of, from the manner in which 

 it lies in the stone, a position which of course it must have had 

 when enclosed. It is compressed from above downwards, con- 

 sequently pressed out laterally. In looking at the nodule, as it 

 is broken in the usual horizontal manner, the jaw, set with mi- 

 nute conical obtuse teeth, is distinctly seen, as well as the pectoral 

 fins ; and again, on looking at a perpendicular section of the same 

 stone, the dorsal, ventral, anal, and caudal fins are all observed. 

 From the enumeration of the parts to be seen in this single spe- 

 cimen, it will at once strike us how peculiarly well this position 

 is calculated to display every part of the fish which has the 

 slightest interest ; at the same time that it shews us, that the 

 animal was most likely enclosed suddenly in the act of swim- 

 ming, and in the very position in which it must have swam. 



Genus IV. Acanthodes. The Acanthodes sulcatus presents us 

 with beautifully perfect specimens. The one which I have now the 

 honour of shewing to the Society measures about one foot six 

 inches in length ; unfortunately, however, the fins are entirely 

 wanting, but in another and smaller specimen, the pectoral fins 

 are to be seen of considerable size. 



Genus V. Pygoyterus. With a specimen to be referred to 

 Pygopterus, we conclude the list of the fossil fishes of this place, 

 which must certainly be allowed to be rich in these remains. 



Coprolite. — We may add, that coprolites or foecal balls 

 abound in the slate and clay ironstone ; and here, as in the dif- 

 ferent coalfields in the middle district of Scotland, contain scales 

 and teeth of fishes. 



Concluding Remarks. — It is now almost universally admit- 

 ted, that coal has resulted from the distribution of vegetable re- 

 mains over areas of greater or less extent upon a previously de- 

 posited surface of sand, or argillaceous silt, and that, after the 

 entombment of this mass of vegetable matter, other layers of 

 mud and clays were deposited on it ; and this operation must 

 have continued for a considerable length of time, during which 

 it is more than probable that an abundant vegetation existed at 

 no great distance from the spot where this process was taking 

 place. 



These changes are most likely to have gone on in estuaries or 



