*/0f Mr. Hutton's Notes on the New Red Sandstone, S^c. 



The most convincing proof of its total independence of, and want of 

 conformity to, the Coal Measures, is the difference of depth at which the 

 same seam of Coal is found along the line of its outcrop. If we take, 

 for instance, the Low Main Coal of the Tyne, which is the Hutton Seam 

 in the collieries on the Wear, we shall find its depth below the Red 

 Sandstone, as follows : — - 



Fathoms. 



At the foot of the cliff below Tynemouth Castle it will be about 75* 



At Laygate Quarry about 140 



At Clacksheugh, at least 230 



At Houghton-le-Spring (Lord Durham's new pit), 132 



AtMoorsley (Mr. Russell's pit), 95 



To the south of Moorsley, the seams of Coal unfortunately again 

 change their names, and it would, therefore, be impossible, without fur- 

 ther investigation, to trace the continuity of each individual seam, but, 

 it may be stated, that the Sandstone crosses the Coal strata, at many 

 various depths, above a Coal in that district, called the Five-Quarter 

 Seam, and, in its range southward, very nearly comes in contact with 

 the Grit and Shale beds below the whole of the Coal series. 



Fathoms. 

 At Quarrington Pit from the Red Sandstone to the Five-Quarter Seam, is 37 

 At Eldon Pit from the Red Sandstone to the Five-Quarter Seam, is .... 9 

 And at Cowndon Pit from the Red Sandstone to the Five-Quarter Seam, is 57 



The source of the Brine Springs, which are found in several situation* 

 in this neighbourhood, has long been a matter of interesting specula- 

 tion. As it has now been ascertained that we have below the Magne- 

 sian Limestone, a formation of new Red Sandstone, may we not be al- 

 lowed to conjecture that a bed of Rock Salt is existing in it somewhere, 

 as this stratum is well known to be the great depositary of that substance 

 all over the world ? This idea is rendered more probable by the situa- 

 tion of the places where salt Springs occur, none of which are at a great 



* This estimate is made upon the idea of the seam of Coal seen immediately beneath the 

 Two-gun Battery, at the south end of CuUercoats Sands, being the High Main ; but, as 

 there is reason to believe, from the very best authority (Mr. Buddle), that it is either 

 the Bensham, or Yard Coal, it is probable the Low Main Coal is much nearer the Red Sand- 

 stone than above stated. 



