1. Upper Oolitic 

 system. 



1823.] the principal Mountain Chains of Europe. 281 



this structure, divide themselves into two well marked and distinct 

 series Now of these one only is found in the older rocks ; the 

 oth-r'is confined to those more recent than the coal formation. 

 It is very probable that ulterior researches may extend similar 

 conclusions to many other classes ; it is impossible that the 

 subject should be in better hands than those of the author just 

 alluded to, whose unwearied patience in the investigation ot 

 those minute details which afford the only sure grounds for such 

 an induction, is joined to that philosophical spirit of generalisa- 

 tion which can alone combine them into a luminous system. 



The series of this system in England where it has been most 

 fully studied, consists of three great deposits of a calcareo-argilla- 

 ceous character, alternating with tbree others of calcareo-sih- 

 ceous matter and of oolitic limestones. 



a. Argillo-calcareous Purbeck strata, sepa- 

 rating the iron sand and oolitic series. 



b. Oolitic strata of Portland, Tisbury, and 

 Aylesbury. 



c. Calcareous sand and concretions (Shot- 

 1 over hill and Thame.) 



d. Aro-illo-calcareous formation of Kimme- 

 ' rid'e and the vale of Berks, separating 



the°oolites of this and the next sytem— 

 Oaktree clay of Smith (generally). 



a. Oolitic strata associated with the Coral 

 rag (Pisolite of Smith). 



b. Calcareous sand and grit. 



c. Great Oxford clay (Clunch clay of Smith) 

 separating the oolites of this and the 

 next system. 



Ca. Numerous oolitic strata, occasionally sub- 

 divided by thin argillaceous beds; in- 

 cluding the Cornbrash, Forest marble, 

 schistose oolite and sand of Stonesfield 

 and Hinton, great oolite, and interior 



oolite. . 



Calcarec-siliceous sand, supporting and 

 passing into the inferior oolite. 

 Great argillo-calcareous formation of has 

 and lias°marle, constituting the base of 

 the whole series. 



2. Middle Oolitic 

 system. 



Lower Oolitic 

 system. 



s 



I 



N. B. This list is in a descending order. 



The most probable analogies of these with the continental 

 formations appear to be the following, in which I have inverted 

 the preceding or der, and followed the ascending series 



1 Lias (3. c), Muschelkalk, and inferior Beds of the Jura 

 Luneslonc.-Th^ is still some doubt whether the term muschel- 



