Reviews— Ward's N. Stafford Coal-field. 427 



precise stratum from which it was obtained ; and while most groups 

 of organisms occurring in the Britisli Coal-measures are well repre- 

 sented, the fish-remains are especially valuable as displaying so 

 many anatomical details that are rarely shown in other collections. 



A general summary of the results of such patient investigations 

 is always welcome; and the work before us has the appearance of 

 no hurried sketch, but of a fully matured series of conclusions. The 

 Stratigraphical Section occupies half the volume and embodies the 

 author's personal observations; while in the Palasontological Section 

 the assistance of several well-known specialists has been secured, 

 Mr. R. Kidston having determined the plants, Mr. R. Etheridge 

 having described and determined many of the invertebrate fossils, 

 while most of the novelties among the Ganoid fishes are treated by 

 Dr. R. H. Traquair. 



The district described is bounded on the eastern margin by the 

 Carboniferous Limestone of Derbyshire, on the southern and western 

 margins by the Lower Permian and Triassic formations ; and some 

 preliminary remarks are offered on the surrounding Lower Carboni- 

 ferous and Permian deposits before entering upon the proper subject 

 of the work. Four distinct basins are recognized : — the Pottery 

 Coal-field, that of Wetley and Shafferlong, that of Goldsitch Moss, 

 and that of Cheadle. Each of these is described in detail, with 

 numerous pit-sections and lists of fossils, almost all of which are 

 now for the first time published. The total vertical thickness of the 

 coal- and ironstone-bearing strata in the Pottery Coal-field is about 

 31)51 feet; the Wetley and Shafferlong Coal-field is comparatively 

 insignificant; the corresponding measures of Goldsitch Moss are not 

 of much commercial value, and probably do not exceed 700 feet 

 in thickness ; while the Cheadle Coal-field is also small, though 

 comprising twelve workable seams of coal of an aggregate thickness 

 of over 40 feet, besides a valuable lied of haematite which is mined 

 at the base of the series. All the more important horizons are 

 described with their local names ; and an attempt is made to divide 

 the measures of each Coal-field into an Upper, Middle, and Lower 

 group. For the most part these details will be appreciated by the 

 mining engineer rather than by the ordinary geologist ; but the 

 interest of the latter is sustained by the seines of lists of the fauna 

 and flora, which indicate the various changes in physical conditions 

 during the deposition of the successive beds. 



The " Catalogue of Organic Remains " is systematically arranged, 

 the principal literature-references, besides localities and horizons, 

 being appended to each species from the Coal -Measures. Among 

 the Mollusca, two new species. Anthracomya Wardi and Sanguino- 

 lites granulatus, are described by Mr. Etheridge, and the last 

 mentioned is also figured. On the same plate several other Molluscs 

 of the genera Anthracosia, Avthracomya, Modiola and Goniatites, are 

 likewise well illustrated, in addition to species of Discina, Chonetes, 

 and Lingula, and part of the spiny Myriapod, Euphoberia. More 

 detailed notices of the Fishes and Amphibia are given, and these form 

 the subject of no less than eight plates, of which one is large and 



