326 JESSE E. HYDE 
fauna is entirely absent from the upper part of the shale and it is 
evident that the typical marine conditions were excluded during 
the formation of the upper part, although there is no break dis- 
cernible in the sediment and no evidence of shoaling in the shales. 
The formation of the sandstones and of the coal bed marks the 
first resumption of typical Coal-measures sedimentation of the 
so-called continental type. The whole series suggests abrupt 
shoaling from shallow marine conditions and the dumping of sands, 
delta-like, into a shallow body of water, perhaps yet brackish but 
in which no marine organisms were living.* 
WERE THE POCKETS FORMED BY GROWTH IN POSITION OR BY 
FLOATATION OF ORGANIC MATERIAL ? 
In what has been considered thus far, there is seemingly little 
room for speculation. The structures are distinct and the various 
relationships can readily be determined. Apparently, there is not 
a single conflicting feature, although some may be little understood. 
The interpretation given seems the only one possible, although 
certain conditions of coal accumulation are suggested thereby 
which are unusual, to say the least. However, these conditions 
probably have not obtained over any very great area and during 
the accumulation of none of the important seams. Certain other 
conditions seem to follow as a result of this interpretation, but in 
what remains tobe said regarding these, there is less of certainty 
than in what has preceded. 
Perhaps the most remarkable feature connected with the occur- 
rence is the extreme localization of the deposits of organic mud. 
It is very curious that it should have accumulated along the foot 
of the sand slopes to the depth demanded, 5 feet more or less, but 
1In this connection must be noted the finding in this railroad cut of a piece of 
coal with a well-preserved nautiloid shell in it, as yet, unidentified. The piece is en- 
tirely of coal and the fossil is preserved as an impression, the shell being wanting 
entirely. The piece was loose and it cannot be affirmed that it came from one of the 
coal pockets in the cut, as some coal is hauled through it from the Hocking Valley 
field. It is undoubtedly a case of a marine organism preserved in coal, but its source 
must be considered unknown, with a fair chance of its having been native to the cut. 
