(iLACIAL MARKINGS IN THE ItEU MAKL. 3 



a sinjjle analysis, but I think if more analyses of tlio rocks in the 

 district were made, and the results compai'ed, considerahlc lit,'ht 

 would be thrown ou the mode of their formation and the altera- 

 tions they have underi^one. The most remarkable fact connected 

 with the section, however, is found at the top of the hard band. In 

 removinj» the top layer of clay the workmen made a sort of platform, 

 which Mr. Harper, the manaj^er, pointed out to me, and kindly had 

 left for my inspection. When the clay is removed the surface of the 

 rock is found to be beautifully smoothed and polished, wliich appears 

 to me to point very strongly to glacier action. The only other probable 

 cause is the slipping of the clay above, but the very slight angle of 

 dip seems to preclude this. On the whole the diffei'ence in the 

 composition of the layers, the contorted strata, and the polishing of 

 the rock surface, indicate the action of ice, and I think a more rigid 

 investigation of the whole district would tend to confirm this theory. 



I have brought the subject forward thus early, and in a rather 

 crude form, iu the hope that some of the I'eaders of the " Midland 

 Naturalist " may give the results of their researches, or be induced to 

 pay a little attention to the matter. The field is a wide one, and it is 

 probable that many more data may be obtained not only on the Red 

 Marl, but throughout the district, which will help us to complete the 

 history of the Great Ice Age, especially as it affects the Midland 

 Counties. 



In conclusion, I may mention that in another neighbouring clay 

 pit, at the Adderley Park Brick "Works, the clay above the marl is very 

 tenacious and of good quality, but it contains numerous pockets of sand 

 and pebbles. At this pit also is a curious little fracture in the Red 

 !Marl which has raised the grej- bands in a sort of pucker about six 

 inches high. 



