286 GeologisU* Association. 



of Banbury") to be here seen to the greatest advantage, attracted much attention, 

 and a fair number of Belemnitcs, Cijpricardia, and other fossils were secured ; and 

 Mr. Beesley pointed out the difference between the peculiar assemblage of fossils here 

 met with, and those which occur in the Upper Marlstone. At VVarkworth, on the 

 other side of the valley, a large number of fossils were obtained, and Prof. Morris 

 explained the interesting cliaracter of the quarry. The beds belonged to the Marl- 

 stone series, part of the Middle Lias. The quarry showed some of the characteristic 

 Ammonites, species never found in the Upper or Lower Lias, and he observed that 

 from the appearance of the fossils found, and their nature, they might conclude that 

 they stood on what liad been a shallow sea. There were three groups of raoUusca 

 here, and Mr. Beesley said they had found vertebrate remains and true coprolites, as 

 ■well as Crustaceans. The King's Sutton Ironstone Quarry (Marlstone) was next 

 visited, and a number of interesting fossils were found. Prof. Morris directed atten- 

 tion to the remarkable abundance of lamp shells in proportion to other shells ; the 

 section showed the Ammonites spinattts zone. The party next proceeded to the 

 scene of the whirlwind in November Inst, and at Newbottle Hill the section showing 

 junctions of Marlstone, Upper Lias, and Inferior Oolite was pointed out. Prof. Morris 

 here gave a very interesting address upon the geology of the neighbourhood, and drew 

 attention to the effect which geological changes had produced upon the present con- 

 figuration of the surface. At the conversazione held (through the influence of Mr. 

 Beesley) at the Town Hall in the evening, a really creditable geological museum was, 

 with the able assistance of the Messrs. G. Stutterd and E. Walford, extemporized, 

 Mr. H. Walford contributing some valuable Japanese bronzes, whilst Mrs. and the 

 Misses Beesley took upon themselves the task of performing the charitable office of 

 entertainers, by taking care that ample refreshments were provided. The excellent 

 collection of fossils and geological specimens, chiefly local, afforded an excellent 

 opportunity for again drawing on Prof. M orris's extensive knowledge ; and in the course 

 of the evening an address, which was really an exhaustive lecture, upon the forma- 

 tions represented by the specimens, was obtained from him, in which he pointed out 

 the great advantage derivable from the study of physical science. They would see, 

 he observed, how the features of the landscape were affected by the nature of the rock 

 structure, and it was only geologists or those well acquainted with physical science 

 that could fully appreciate this. They would find that the mineral structure of the 

 rocks in the neigh l)ourhood sometimes gave theni pasture and sometimes arable land. 

 This depended upon the ancient geological conditions. There was mostly pasture land 

 on the Upper Lias, and on the intermediate or Marlstone there was both arable and 

 pasture; the Marlstone was rich in shells and phosphates, and was more valuable as 

 arable land than the Upper or Lower Lias. A hearty vote of thanks was given for the 

 address. On Tuesday the 15th, the party visited the "fault" which runs from the Brough- 

 ton Eoad across the low ground between Constitution and Crouch Hills, parallel with 

 another fault starting at Hardwicke, and which brings down the Upper Lias between 

 the Marlstone. At the Giant's Cave Mr. Beesley pointed out the second fault just 

 mentioned. At Broughton the castle and the church were visited, and at the Brough- 

 ton Fulling Mill Quarry the Lower Beds of the Great Oolite tilted at a considerable 

 angle to the south were examined, and as Tadmarton Forest marble pits were 

 approached many fossils belonging to the Cornbrash beds were found, confirming the 

 view taken by the Geological Survey officers, that the slaty beds at the top of this 

 quarry are true Forest marbles, which has been doubted by some geologists. After 

 luncheon Prof. Morris and Mr. J. Logan Lobley (Hon. Secretary) formally thanked 

 Mr. Beesley on behalf of the Geologists' Association for the cordial reception they 

 had met with, and expressed their indebtedness to the town and people of Banbury 

 for the kindness shown them. On "Wednesday the 16th, visits were made to Fenny 

 Compton, Kinetiin, and Edgehill, and on Thursday, the 17th, to the Upper Lias of 

 Northamptonshire side, some good fossils being got at the brickyard at Thenford 

 Hill. The Association have probably never liad a more enjoyable excursion, nor 

 one from which more sound instruction has been gained. 



Geologist.s' Association^ May 2, 1873. — Henry Woodward, Esq., F.G.S., 

 F.Z.S., President, in the Chair. — "On the Valley of the Vczere (Pe'rigoid), its 

 Limestones, Caves, and Pre-historic Eemains," by Professor T. Euperfc Jones, F.ll.S., 

 F.G.S. 



The river Vezere, rising in the Department of Correge. traversing the Department 

 Dordogne, and joining the river Dordogne near Sarlat, runs from the old metamorphic 



