276, NOTICE OF THE OCCURRENCE OF FOSSIL FISH, &c. 
interesting relics, of a by-gone fauna, were discovered in the quar- 
ries at Whitley ; and it will be remembered that, in 1838, a shaft 
was sunk there, 10 or 20 fathoms deep, to reach the Marl-slate, 
for the purpose of exhibiting its treasures to the members of the 
British Association, then assembled at Newcastle. A few speci- 
mens of fish were, at that time, procured. None, I believe, have 
been obtained since. From the pains taken, at this period, to 
get at the Marl-slate, it would appear that no one suspected that 
it cropped out to the day, a little more than half a mile from 
the spot where the shaft was sunk. Such, however, was the 
case ; and the Geologists who then examined the great slip-dyke, 
in Cullercoats Haven, must have trodden on the bed from which 
the fish, first alluded to, were procured. 
It is evident, on examining, in this locality, this gigantic 
dislocation of the coal measures, that the lower members, of the 
Magnesian-limestone, come into view ; and, as these rest on the 
Marl-slate, it might be expected to occur here. I therefore 
traced the line of the dyke, from the southern extremity of the 
haven, towards the banks, and, about mid-way, between these 
two points, observed that the limestone rested on a dark blue 
shale, and not on the yellow sandstone, which supports it a little 
further to the east. This shale, from its position, there could be 
little doubt, was the Marl-slate; but not being very familiar 
with its appearance, I broke a piece off, for future examination. 
One glance, however, at this fragment, was sufficient to set all 
doubt aside: it bore the impression of a fish. Since that 
time, Mr. Richard Howse and I have examined the locality 
more carefully, and, chiefly by the exertions of this gentleman, 
we have procured upwards of a dozen specimens, some of which 
are in fine order. 
The following species occurred Pygopterus mandibularis, Pa- 
leoniscus longissimus, P. glaphyrus, P. elegans, and P. comtus. 
The last mentioned was the most abundant. 
Newcastle, July, 1848. 
