DEC 61966 



[Feb., 1904. 



''the paleontology of the LANCASHIRE 

 COAL MEASURES. 



By Mr. H. Bolton, F.R.S.E., The Museum, Bristol. 



PAET I. 



The present paper contains the results of a series of 



observations carried on over a period of years upon the 



character, and vertical and geographical range of the fossils 



jfn^TT of the Lancashire Lower Coal Measures. The opportunity 



*^ to further prosecute the study has ceased with the writer's 



I -C I removal from Manchester, and it seems desirable that the 



& Cd ^ results so far as they have proceeded should be made avail- 



jL^jr I able for other workers in the same field. The observations 



I now recorded have been obtained by field work, and a careful 



examination of all collections to which access could be gained. 



Mainly, however, they are the result of examination and 



determination of the large collection of Lower Coal Measure 



fossils in the Manchester Museum, Owens College, made while 



the writer was an Assistant Keeper at that institution. So far 



as possible an attempt has been made to compile a list of 



all the animal fossils known, their horizon, and the locality 



where they are known to occur. Such a compilation, if 



accurate and fairly complete, will be of service as showing 



the range in time, and the geographical distribution within 



the known limits of the Lancashire Lower Coal Measures. 



The difiiculties attending the task have increased of late 



years, owing to the working out of the coal in many places, 



and the consequent abandoning of the mines, which have 



speedily become choked up by roof falls and the accumulation 



of water. 



The Lancashire Lower Coal Measures consist of beds of 

 shales with thin ironstones, sandstones, flags, and thin 

 coals, having a total thickness of 1,000 to 1,800 feet 



