Geological Poems. ^79 



They oft proved deceitful when thought very sound, 

 For they had mdiwy faults'^ i, which they hid under ground. 

 Red Sand-stone came after, and licking his lips, 

 He brought in the salt, on a salver of Gyps. 

 To two sister limestones he had a strong bias, 70 



The one was Magnesian'^^ the other was Lias, 

 Though the former look'd sallow, he press'd the dear charmer 

 So close, his attentions did sometimes alarm her : 

 But Lias was Jlat, and seem'd sombre and dull, 74 



For with shell-fish and lizards her stomach was full. 

 Then Oolitesi-3, with sandstones, and sand red and green 

 In a crowd, near the top of the table were seen. 

 The last that were seated were Chalk-marl and Chalk, 

 They were placed close to Neptune, to keep him in talk. 

 Now the God gave his orders, " If more guests should come, 80 

 Let them dine with the Lakes, in a separate room." 

 As for Gravels, and Black-earth, and other gross livers, 

 They may feast out of doors, by the side of the rivers. 

 Kill Aurochs** and Mammoths, not heeding their groans, 

 But let them take care of the teeth and the bones." 

 The Strata from Paris arrived very late, 86 



With letters, requesting a chair and a plate. 

 '' Eh bien,'^ said the God, with a good natured air, 

 ^'- Faites entrer Monsieur le Calcaire Grassier ; 

 Let him and his friends at a sideboard be placed, 90 



And with Cerites'^ and Lymnites the covers be graced." 

 Now, Muse, raise thy voice, and be kind to our wishes. 

 And tell us the names of the principal dishes. 

 To Chalk, preserved palates and fossil Echini 

 Were handed in Cham-shells more pearly than China. 



11 Faults or dislocations — frequent in coal strata, and occasion much in- 

 convenience to miners. 



12 Magnesian Limestone, and Lias Limestone. — !Vra§;nesian Limestone, 

 generally of a yellow colour, sometimes contains remains of fish. Lias 

 Limestone occurs in flat and nearly horizontal strata, some of which abound 

 with remains of oviparous quadrupeds, Lizards of enormous size, together 

 with remains of scaly fish, Ammonites, Gryphites, and Pentacrinites. 



13 Oolite, or Roe-stone.— Portland stone, Bath stone, and Rotten stone, 

 are Oolites, or Roe-stones. 



14 Aurochs and Mammoths. Auroch a species of ox, whose bones are 

 found in gravel and alluvial soil. Mammoth, the fossil elephant; — the 

 teeth and bones are frequently found in gravel and alluvial soil in England, 

 and are very common in Siberia. 



15 Cerites.— Fossil shells in the strata of Paris. The Lymnites are a 

 species of fresh-water snail. 



