282 Rev. W.D. Conybeare on a Geological Map of [April, 



kalk may not be applied to more than one formation ; # first, it is 

 sometimes applied to the Wurtzbourg limestone, which Kefer- 

 stein classes with the alpine, and which has, therefore, been so 

 coloured in the accompanying map on his authority, though I 

 have already expressed my own inclination to consider it as 

 reoresentinp; our lias. Secondly, there is less doubt that the 

 rocks to which the name muschelkalkstein have been applied in 

 the north of Germany (where, I believe, it was originally adopted) 

 are equivalent to our lias. Thirdly, it is certain that most of 

 the beds commonly included under this designation on the north- 

 west and north of the Jura chain and the Rauhe Alp, extending 

 into Wurtembourg, &c. are identical with our lias, as also the 

 beds underlying the oolites of the cote d'or in the north-east 

 of France, extending towards Metz, Sec. &c. 



2. Sandstone of the inferior Oolite (3 b). — Arenaceous and iron 

 shot beds are interposed between the Jura lias and oolites near 

 Lons le Saulnier, and through the whole northern escarpment of 

 that chain, and its prolongation the Rauhe Alp (Eiscn sandstein 

 of Keferstein). According to Haussman and Keferstein, the 

 quadersandstein in the north of Germany is similarly placed; but 

 I suspect that more than one formation may be confounded 

 under this denomination, and the local circumstances under 

 which it occurs are such as to render the determination of the 

 question difficult. 



3. The other divisions of the series, including all the beds 

 which, properly speaking, can be termed oolites, resemble one 

 another so much that their individual identification with those of 

 the Continent can hardly be expected in the present state of 

 science ; if indeed, which seems very questionable, a close 

 agreement in these minor features of arrangement really exists, 

 through very extensive tracts, and in veiy distant sites. Such a 



* M. Boue appears to be of opinion that the muschelkalkstein of Central Germany 

 is not our lias, but a formation wanting in England, and intermediate between the new 

 red sandstone and lias being separated from the latter by the quadersandstein ; so that 

 the ascending series is : 1. New red sandstone; [8. Muschelkalkstein ; 3. Quadersand- 

 stein] 4. Lias and oolites, the formations between brackets being absent in England. 

 He cites a section near Amberg in confirmation of this position. This debateable ground 

 refers principally to the Wurtzbourg district, and the country extending thence towards 

 the frontiers of Bohemia. I feel that it is more important at present to state difficulties 

 of this kind than attempt an hasly solution. I shall return to this subject in tracing 

 the course of these formations : on the whole I certainly incline to the view which I have 

 indicated in the text. Those who distinguish the muschelkalk as a peculiar formation 

 refer to two principal localities ; first, the platform of Wurtzbourg (which has been just 

 mentioned) ; and, secondly, in the North of Germany, at Goettingen, &c. they consider 

 it as characterized from the lias by the absence of the alternating argillaceous strata so 

 common in that formation. It is an earthy limestone, generally of pale colours (greyish 

 or yellowish), has some subordinate marly, arenaceous, and oolitic beds, with occasional 

 layers and nodules of chest; its peculiar petrifactions are : Chamites striates, Belemnites 

 paxillosus, Ammonites amalteus, A. ncdosus, A. angulatus, A. papyraceus, Nautilites 

 binodatus, Buccinites gregarius, Trochilitcs laevis, Turbinites cerithius, Myacites ven- 

 tricosus, Pectinites reticularis, Ostracites spondyloides, Terebratulites fragilis, T. vul- 

 garis, Gryphites cymbium, G. suillus, Mytulites socialis, Pentacrinites vulgaris, Encri- 

 nites liliiformis. Bee also the note of M. Boue on the north of Germany. 



