Reviews — The Sub- Wealden Exploration, 565 



" From unavoidable causes, the lowest 200 feet of core have not 

 yet been thoroughly examined. It is, therefore, possible that Oxford 

 Clay fossils may hereafter be found at a higher level than that stated 

 above. Very fine specimens of Thracia depressa occurred at 965 

 feet ; this shell ranges through the Portland and Kimmeridge strata, 

 being especially characteristic of the latter ; it also occurs (but more 

 rarely) in the Oxford Clay. GrypJicea virgiila was found at 950 feet. 



" We cannot hope, in so small a section, to establish any definite 

 palseontological line between the Oxford and Kimmeridge Clays ; if, 

 indeed, any such line exist in this area. But the boring, small as 

 it is, is quite sufficient to prove that there is not the slightest litho- 

 logical break between the two formations. 



"The clay throughout is more or less bituminous, some of the 

 undoubted Oxford Clay being highly so. It is often sandy ; some- 

 times it contains so much lime as to be almost a cement-stone. Aa 

 a rule, oysters are more abundant in the sandy portions than else- 

 where ; the more calcareous parts are generally very bare of fossils." 



The remainder of this notice is taken intact from Mr. Willett's 

 own report. 



" Most of lis have been amused by the story of the traveller, who, 

 having fallen over a precipice in the dark, and who having grasped, 

 providentially, the branches of some shrubs growing from its face, 

 with almost superhuman effort clung on for dear life, till appearing 

 daylight showed him that ho was but a few inches above the terra 

 firma beneath his feet. 



" The Palaeozoic ridge of rocks which we are seeking was probably 

 a submerged reef in the muddy waters which deposited the thick 

 beds of clay we are now traversing. We expect to come doivn 

 suddenly upon it, and it mat be only a pew feet beneath us ! It 

 may, however, be some hundred feet. 



" Whatever be the distance, the chance of discovering its actual 

 depth seems to be Now or Never. 



" So vividly does this impress the minds of those who are most 

 competent to judge, viz. Prof Eamsay, Director-General of the 

 Geological Survey of the United Kingdom; John Evans, Esq., 

 F.E.S., the President of the Geological Societj^ ; Joseph Prestwich, 

 Esq., F.E.S., past President of the Geological Society, and E. Godwin- 

 Austen, Esq., F.E.S., V.P.G.S. (to which may be added the testimony 

 of the late Professor John Phillips), that a new appeal for pecuniary 

 aid has been prepared by them for circulation. It is manifestly 

 unjust (even if it were practicable) that the small minority (in this 

 intelligent and wealthy country) who have so liberally and at such 

 sacrifices hitherto provided the means, should be further burdened, 

 while there are, doubtless, ample sources of supply, hitherto un- 

 touched, which only need application to insure all that is nece ssary 

 to complete our undertaking. 



" It must not be forgotten, also, that this is an experiment specially 

 recommended by a Parliamentary Committee (Coal Commission), 

 and that we have also obtained the approbation of the President of 

 the Eoyal Society, of the President of the Geological Society, and of 



