Tyldesley. 257 



demesne belonged to that eminent hero of ancient ro- 

 mance, Elizeus de Worsley, the first Anglo-Norman who 

 volunteered to join in the first Crusade. The coal-pits, 

 like those of 1 Dukinfield, are famous for their fossil- 

 plants, especially the Coppice-field pit, in which there 

 are numerous fine Sigillarias, standing upright as when 

 growing. At times there are upon the floor fine traces 

 of the roots of these plants, called Stigmarias ; while in 

 the rough roof there are innumerable remains of Lepi- 

 dodendra, reed-like calamites, &c., with markings often 

 as delicate as if just traced by an artist It was to con- 

 vey the produce of these pits more cheaply to Man- 

 chester that the thrice-famous Bridgewater Canal was 

 constructed ; the history of this enterprise, with that of 

 the Duke of Bridgewater and of Brindley, forms, as all 

 intelligent men are well aware, one of the most enter- 

 taining and impressive chapters in the records of English 

 progress. 



The neighbourhoods of Leigh, Atherton, Tyldesley, 

 &c,, though not picturesque, offer considerable attrac- 

 tions to the naturalist In Peel Quarry, near Little 

 Hulton, are found plenty of specimens of calamites and 

 other fossils belonging to the carboniferous era; and 

 large numbers of a fossil fruit locally called "palm- 

 nuts," the produce, apparently, of a tree allied to the 

 Japanese SaJisfiuria. On account of the three project- 

 ing ribs or comers of the shell, this nut bears the name 

 of TrqpiuMifoit. In the limestone beds near 1 



