63 Mr. Hutton's Notes on the New Red Sandstone, ^c. 



of the Coal Measures generally — in no instance vrere. we able to dis- 

 cover a nodule of Clay Ironstone, in the different beds composing 

 it. The texture of the lower bed also varies considerably, it being 

 sometimes of a fine even grain, and compact enough to be worked as a 

 building stone ; at other times, it is coarse and uneven, from the quan- 

 tity and size of the embedded grains and nodules of Quartz. It is al- 

 ways micaceous, and some of its beds so much so, as to split into thin 

 laminae of a bright red colour, which are very prone to decomposition. 



A conspicuous character of this lower stratum is, the false bedding 

 of the Stone, which may be seen in every quarry ; but, perhaps, the 

 best character of all to distinguish it from a Coal Grit, is the total ab- 

 sence of vegetable organic remains. 



This Sandstone, in the course of its outcrop, follows generally, that 

 of the Magnesian Limestone, but occasionally projects beyond, whei'e it 

 is hard and of considerable thickness. 



For the sake of perspicuity in the following remarks, we shall desig- 

 nate the upper bed as the yellow Sand, from its prevailing character;, 

 and the lower as the Red Sandstone ; but without in the least wishing 

 them to be considered in any other light than as different members of 

 the same formation. 



When the Magnesian Limestone first enters the county of Durham 

 from the south, its course is so little marked for several miles from the 

 lowness of the level at which it runs, that the beds beneath it cannot 

 easily be examined — proceeding northward, however, it begins to rise 

 into those round topped hills which form the general character of its 

 edge throughout the county j the Red Sandstone keeps its course near 

 the foot of these hills, and was first met with on the side of the road 

 leading fi-om Legs Cross Toll Bar, towards Heighington ; about 100 

 yards beyond, the well-known Cockfield Dyke crosses the road ; the 

 Basalt, which has been worked for a road stone, is seen cutting through 

 the yellow Sand. 



Park House Qjiarry, on the hill side, one mile west of Heighington, 

 is worked entirely in the Red Sandstone j it has been lately opened out ; 

 the Stone is of a close texture, and is used for gate-posts, &c. j the 



