$2 Mr. Weaver’s Geological Remarks. [Auc. 
- The question, (involving others of some moment), chiefl 
depends on the true construction of the term, the rothe todtlie- 
gende formation of Germany, In the Comparative View, ad- 
verted to above, I have considered it as the representative of 
the carboniferous series, extending from the old red sandstone 
to the coal formation inclusive; while Mr. Conybeare, on the 
other hand, maintains that it 1s the equivalent of what Professor 
Buckland has denominated the new red conglomerate of England, 
(the same which I have designated by the name of the calcare- 
ous conglomerate), stating that the rothe todtliegende is always 
found above the coal of Germany, and not below it. In support 
of our respective opinions, we have both appealed to the same 
authorities ; to Lehman, Werner, Karsten, Von Buch, Freies- 
leben, &e. Whence does this great diserepancy arise ? 
If I show that the rothe todtliegende of those authors agrees 
in relative position, characters, and associations, with the carbo- 
niferous series, this will be positive evidence that I have correctly 
rendered their meaning; and if I further show that the rothe 
todtliegende is deficient in those particulars that serve to cha- 
racterise the new conglomerate, this/will be negative evidence. 
The two itis presumed will be deemed conclusive. 
* Lehman, in his work (Geschichte, von Flotzgebirgen, 1756), 
of which a French translation appeared a few years atter, speaks 
of the rothe todtliegende as “ da base sur laquelle sont appuyés 
des lits du charbon de terre” (sect. iv. p. 268, 282); and in 
describing sections of strata in the following division of the’ 
work, he also says, the coal is covered by true rothe todtlie- 
ende, meaning that the coal is wnbedded in rothe todtliegende 5 
and this is the sense in which that author is understood by Ger- 
man writers m general, and by Freiesleben in particular, who 
expressly quotes him to that effect (vol. iv. p. 170). 
Freiesleben, the disciple of Werner, in constant and close! 
intimacy with him to the latest period, and occupying hke him 
aseat in the Council of Mines at Freyberg, may be supposed to 
represent faithfully the positions of his master, corroborated! and 
elucidated as they have been by his own researches during a 
residence of seven years in Mansfeld and Thuringia, while: 
acting as chief officer of the mining department in that country. 
it is well known that the mountamous group of the Hartz con- 
sists of primary and transition tracts, whose general constituents 
I shall now mention, for reasons that will appear hereafter. 
Granite appears to be the general base, since it occurs not only’ 
as suchin the primary region, but is found protruding, or denuded, 
in the transition ; m the former also appear clayslate, flinty 
slate, an intimate compound of felspar and quartz with some 
little tourmaline called hornfels, quartz tock, varieties’ of ‘trap, 
limestone, and some indications of gneiss and mica slate. ‘The 
Rev. W. D. Conybeare, FRS. MGS. and W. Phillips, FLS. MGS.” an extremely 
able and valuable work, affording, so far as it has proceeded, an excellent view of the 
“ geological relations of the kingdom. The.completion of the task,is very desirable. 
