56 MK. R. D. DARBISHIBE ON MARINE SHELLS 



carbonic acid together, there are indications which, al- 

 though minute, may be found to correspond to great 

 effects. The close places of the town have been of late 

 very unhealthy. 



I conclude by repeating that it is important to observe 

 minute fractions in the amount of oxygen and carbonic acid 

 in the air. 



II. Notes on Marine Shells found in Stratified Drift near 

 Macclesfield. By R. D. Darbishire, B.A., F.G.S. 



Eead November 29th, 1864. 



In August last Mr. Sainter, of Macclesfield, requested me 

 to examine a large quantity of fragments of shells which 

 he and Mr. J. Lowe, under his directions, had collected 

 from sand and shingle exposed during repeated cuttings 

 made in the progress of the new cemetery-grounds now 

 being formed on the north side of the town. I have since 

 made several visits to the place, and from that mass of speci- 

 mens, and my own smaller series, have been able to arrange 

 the list which I now submit. I venture to think that it 

 presents certain considerations of peculiar interest. 



It is to be regretted that careful observations were not 

 made during the progress of the works, and due notes 

 taken of the particular beds and conditions in which dif- 

 ferent shells have occurred. Messrs. Sainter and Lowe 

 have been very diligent in collecting such specimens as 

 they could find, and in buying from the workmen, — the 

 latter a practice which could scarcely fail (as indeed it 

 did not fail) of producing a supply of showy specimens, in- . 

 eluding Murex, Cyprcea, and Pteroceras of tropical origin. 



