314 Cursory Remarks on 
primary state, a calcareous and not an argil- 
laceous stone, can only be doubted, I think, 
by those, who have not had an opportunity of 
examining this fossil in its native repository. 
Indeed, I feel little hesitation in affirming, 
that the phenomena, attendant on the sub- 
stance in question, strongly support the origi- 
nal idea of the late ingenious Mr. Whitehurst, 
“who, from personal and extensive observation, 
was led to conclude, that the parent rock of 
the Derbyshire Rotten-stone was black mar- 
ble,* or some other variety of our dark-co- 
loured lime-stones. 
It is some years back, since I availed myself 
of a favourable opportunity, that occurred, of 
examining the Rotten-stone pits on Bakewell 
Moor ;f and which, 1 understand, are only 
opened at particular periods—that is, every 
third or fourth year, according to the demand, 
which may then prevail for the fossil as an 
article of traftic. On looking over the memo- 
randu, made at the time of visiting these pits, 
I find they differ, in some trifling respects, 
-* Vide Whiteburst’s “ Inquiry into the original state 
and formation of the Earth.” 
’ + Rotten-stone also occurs at Wardlow Mire; and, as 
Iam informed, at Ashford and some other parts of the 
county: but I am not acquainted with the local circum. 
stances with which it is attended in those places. 
