EOCENE STRATA OF B1NSTEAD. 105 



Eocene strata of Binstead. — The strata in 

 this locality are entirely of freshwater origin, 

 containing no intermixture whatever of marine 

 detritus. This is evident from the fossils, which 

 consist of shells of the common genera of mollusca 

 that inhabit lakes and rivers ; of seed-vessels and 

 stems of aquatic plants ; bones of freshwater tur- 

 tles ; and teeth and bones of land mammalia. An 

 inspection of Plates I. and II. will give an idea of 

 the assemblage of organic remains found in this 

 locality. The layers of stone are commonly broken 

 and dislocated, but not far removed from their 

 original position. On my visit last summer, the 

 following section was exposed in the principal 

 quarry near the road-side ; it presents the usual 

 appearance and arrangement of the upper series 

 of freshwater strata of the Island ; the beds incline 

 slightly to the north. 



1. Vegetable mould. 



2. Alluvial loam and clay, in which are water- 



worn blocks of shelly limestone (but ex- 

 tending in fissures tc a depth of 1 5 feet) . 3 feet. 



3. Sand, with a layer of shelly limestone, more 



or less separated into blocks which are 

 waterworn 2 feet. 



4. Shelly limestone, in thin layers .... 1 foot. 



5. Very tenacious loam and clay, of a dark 



brown colour, much resembling in appear- 

 ance the dirt-bed of the Isle of Portland . 1 foot. 



