﻿1851.] BECKLES ON FOOTPRINTS IN THE WEALDEN. 



117 



the * Petrefacten,' figs. 3 a, 3b, and in Cyathophoral elegans* ; cells 

 were also exhibited in some places between the visceral receptacles, 

 and similar to those expressed in fig. 15, PI. 4. of the Society's Jour- 

 nal ; the mode of developing additional cavities was likewise the same 

 in both fossils, as well as the general habit of growth. It is therefore 

 inferred that Astrea alveolata is not a Stylina, but is generically 

 allied, as before conjectured, to the lower greensand coral, whatever 

 appellation may be ultimately adopted for the latter. 



2. On Supposed Casts of Footprints in the Wealden. 

 By S. H. Beckles, Esq. 



[Communicated by the President.] 

 [Abstract.'] 



Certain large trifid bodies, presenting a resemblance to the casts 

 of the impressions of birds' feet, are rather numerous in the cliffs to 

 the east and west of Hastings (from the latter locality Mr. Beckles 

 has obtained eight specimens), in a limestone containing Cy rente, 

 remains of Lepidotus, &c, and Dr. Mantell has discovered a specimen 

 in the Wealden of the Isle of Wight. 



Several specimens, detached from the cliffs, have been taken from 

 the beach ; but at about four miles east of Hastings, where the cliffs 

 are about 200 feet high, the casts occur at about 40 feet above the 

 sea-level. They were found in a stratum of rock, overlying a bed of 

 clay ; which latter having been removed by rain and weather, the 

 casts appeared in relief on the under-surface of the rock, just as if 

 they were hanging from the ceiling of a room. 



One detached block obtained at this place bears four of these trifid 

 bodies in relief ; they are arranged with the toes pointing in a uni- 

 form direction, so as to mark out a nearly perfect square. A distance 

 of 2 ft. 7 in. separates the two in front, and 2 ft. 5 in. the hinder two : 

 between the two on the right, from the toe of the hinder one to the 

 heel of the foremost, there is a space of 2 ft. 3 in. ; and between the 

 other two the distance is less by nearly 2 inches. 



The largest specimen found has a length of 21 inches. 



The general uniformity of position and of character, — the constant 

 presence of a middle or heel-like prominence and of three " toes," 

 the central one being always the longest, together with other uniform 

 peculiarities, — have reference apparently to the connection of the 

 origin of these trifid bodies with the foot-prints of birds or other 

 animals. 



Some specimens, as for instance that of which a model was pre- 

 sented to the Society by Mr. Taggart in 1846f, have narrower 

 " toes " than others. 



* Quart. Journ. Geol. Soc. vol. v. pi. 4. figs. 12, 12+ . 

 t See Quart. Journ. Geol. Soc. vol. ii. p. 267. 



