The Brook Beds. 247 



succeeded in making the Volata horrida bed, which seemed, at 

 this spot, literally teeming with shells. Each spitful, too, 

 showed specimens of fruit, earbones, fish-palates, drift-wood, 

 and those nodular concretions which had gathered round some 

 berry or coral.* 



At this point, the water, which was now pouring through the 

 side in a complete stream, and a rumbling noise, showed danger 

 was imminent. Hastily picking up our tools and fossils we 

 retreated. In a moment a mass of clay began to move, and 

 two or three tons, completely burying our bed, fell where we had 

 stood. Foundei* after founder kej)t succeeding, driving the 

 water up to higher levels. We procured assistance, but precious 

 time was lost. Night began to fall, and we were obliged to leave 

 unworked one of the richest spots which, in these beds, may, 

 perhaps, ever be met. 



As it was, we found no less than sixty-one species, including 

 in all 230 good cabinet specimens, which, considering the small 

 size of the pit, and our limited time, and the great disadvantages 

 under which we worked, well showed the richness of these beds. 



'■' I had intended to have accompanied this description with a group of 

 some of the best fossils from this pit, including the fruit, fish-spines, and 

 palates, and the large Pleurotoma attenuata. It was, in fact, commenced b}^ 

 the artist. But the specimens were obliged to be so great))' reduced, that 

 the drawing gave no complete idea of their form and beauty, and would 

 only have confused the reader. I have, therefore, contented myself with 

 figuring at p. 249, in its matrix of clay, the rare Natica cepacea (?), which 

 has passed into Mr. Edwards' fine collection, and who has kindly allowed 

 me the use of it, with the characteristic Cassklaria nodosa, and a lovely 

 CahjptrcBa trochiformis, found, as mentioned, inside a Cardita. At p. 244, 

 the specimens given from the Shepherd's Gutter Beds are Cerilhium 

 frilinum (Edw. MS.), Vohda nniplicata, and, in the centre, a shell, showing 

 oblique folds on the columdla, which i\Ir. Edwards thinks may be identical 

 with Fusus incertus of Deshayes. 



247 



