S4 Saurian Remains in the Magnesian Conglovierale of Bristol. 



better idea of the general structure of the rock than could possibly 1)6 

 afforded by an ordinary band specimen. 



We feel great pleasure in stating, further, that the Geologists have de- 

 termined to turn their attention also to the objects of antiquarian curiosity 

 which in so wide a circle, will frequently be brought under their notice ; 

 we shall thus obtain a mass of information concerning the camps, barrows, 

 castles, churches, ancient houses, &c. in the district, which cannot but be 

 highly interesting, and which we propose, should this Journal succeed, 

 from time to time to lay before its readers. We shall return to this subject 

 towards the close of our Archaeological essay — only observing at present, 

 that descriptions of buildings, with sections of the arches, vaultings, but- 

 tresses, &c. are interesting to architects and men of general information, 

 as well as to the antiquary. 



SAURIAN REMAINS 



IN THE 



MAGNESIAN CONGLOMERATE OF BRISTOL. 



Many of our readers are already aware of the above discovery — one of 

 very considerable geological importance, inasmuch as it satisfactorily deter- 

 mines the identity of this particular formation with what have been con- 

 sidered as its analogues in other localities, but which differ materially from 

 k and from each other, in general appearance and in mechanical composi- 

 tion. The Kuperschiefer and Zeclistein, of Thuringia, the magnesian lime- 

 stone of the north of England, and the above conglomerate, are the principal 

 known representatives of this formation, which lies above the carboniferous 

 series and below the red marie and lias. The beds of the Thuringewald and 

 those of the north of England had been identified, independently of their 

 geological position, by the fish and other remains discovered in each. This 

 link had been hitherto imj)erfect with respect to the Conglomerate, proba- 

 bly from the disturbances which seem to have accompanied its deposition. 

 The discovery of these Saurian bones has however at length completed it. 



The fragments already found have belonged to, at the least, three Saurian 

 animals, of two distinct species. 



Of the larger animal have been detected vertehrcB, many portions with 

 their processes ; the bodies of these vertebrae exhibiting the double concave 

 system, thus resembling (though in this respect only) the Enalio-saurians 

 and the crocodile of Hoiifleur. Ribs, of a flattened figure, and with marks 

 of a double attachment. Coracoid bones, in figure rather resembling 

 those of the true lizards than of the crocodile. 



There are also portions of the humerus, ulna, and radius. The femur, 

 tibia, fibula, and chevron bones. Metacarpal or metatarsal bones, phalanges, 

 and claws. 



Of the smaller animal have been found — a denial bone of the right side, 

 about four inches long, and containing twenty teeth ; these teeth are acute. 



