82 



•of the somewhat stronger character of the matrix. This less 

 degree of solubility a])pears to be owing simply to the distri- 

 bution of small crystals of iron pyrites scattered through the 

 mass and binding it together. The amount of material thus 

 searched was ver}^ small, yet it proved to be the richest sample 

 in its palfpontological contents of the whole section. The 

 Poraminifera number thirteen species, in no less than nine 

 genera. Two genera are peculiar to this particular geological 

 horizon — VeimeuiUnapolystroplia and (? ) 'Endotliyra Bowmani, the 

 latter a characteristic Carboniferous form, of which we shall 

 say more presently. The associated remains consist of fish 

 bones, including several split vertebrae, a highly decorated 

 Entomostracan, comminuted shells of mollusca, and some vege- 

 table matter. 



7. Two hundred feet from surface. — A separate sample thus 

 labelled was supplied to me by Mr. Jones. This contains but 

 three species of Foraminifera, but of these Gristellaria rotulata 

 is peculiar to this washing, and it is also the best horizon for 

 2Iargimdina. jN'ext to the Foraminifera the most interesting 

 ■feature of this material is in the occurrences of several frag- 

 ments of Dentaliiim., a gasteropodous mollusc which has a wide 

 range in geological time. There are also indications of 

 bivalves, fish bones, and a few small cylindrical casts. [Three 

 -additional species have since been determined from this depth 

 from mountings submitted to me by Mr. Gr. Goyder, jun.] 



8. One hundred to three hundred feet. — The great silt bed 

 .appears to be little altered in character even at this depth. 

 The fossil contents are few and weathered. Only three species 

 •of Foraminifera were noted. One of these — ALarginulina — 

 appears to be limited to about this depth, as it was only noted 

 in this and the preceding sample. A few molluscan fragments 

 also occur. 



9. Three hundred and four feet to three hundred and six feet 

 from surface. — In this washing a marked change in the strati- 

 graphical character of the bed is apparent. The matrix is still 

 a fine argillaceous silt, but it is studded with a large number 

 •of small stones and pebbles, mixed with quartz and a green 

 mineral, which is probably glauconite. The enclosed pieces of 

 rock are much water-worn, and indicate a littoral deposit 

 formed in close proximity to land. In consequence of the 

 large proportion of insoluble material in the rock stuff, the 

 residuum left from washing was much greater than in the 

 previous samples. Organic remains at this depth are very 

 scarce, but the relatively greater proportion of residuum may 

 partly account for this apparent scarcity of organic remains. 

 The Foraminifera are represented by only four species, and 



