38 Mr. Weaver on the Geological Relations of the South of Ireland. 



Carboniferous Limestone. 



(31.) This formation is found both in the western and eastern portions of 

 our field, reposing either directly and unconformably on the transition series, 

 or conformably on the old red sandstone, when the latter intervenes. 



Thus in the west, at the junction of the valleys of the Laune and the 

 Maine, the limestone rests on the transition rocks ; but in its circuitous course 

 eastward up the latter valley, across that of the Brown Flesk, and around, 

 past Castle Island, westward to Tralee bay, it reposes chiefly on the old red 

 sandstone of Slieve Meesh, while to the east it appears resting on the grey wacke 

 projection which forms the eastern foot of that range, already noticed in §. 49. 

 North of Slieve Meesh, and south of Tralee, the limestone is slightly inclined 

 to the north, yet gently undulated. North of that town, the strata are more 

 nearly horizontal ; but about midway between it and Castle Island, they dip 

 60° to 65° to the north, forming protruding knolls on a line three miles in ex- 

 tent. Further east, and to the south of Castle Island, and around the grey- 

 wacke which projects into the vales of the Brown Flesk and the Maine, the 

 limestone is nearly horizontal, yet subject to undulations, as it also is in its 

 further progress down the valley of the Maine, the latter variations in the dip 

 being from north to south ; while in the line of contact with the old red sand- 

 stone on the south side of Slieve Meesh, the general dip, as exhibited in the 

 quarries, is 20° to 25° to the south. Again, to the north of Ardfert the lime- 

 stone reposes on the old red sandstone of Kerry Head, while both are over- 

 laid in that quarter by an outlying portion of the coal measures. 



It will be hereafter seen, that the limestone of this district, which in its de- 

 vious course is continued from Tralee bay to Listowel on the north-east, and 

 thence to the mouth of the river Shannon on the north-west, is in conformable 

 position with the superincumbent coal measures, wherever denudation affords 

 an opportunity of observation. 



(52.) In the eastern quarter, the carboniferous limestone first appears on the 

 south of the Blackwater in Dromaneen townland, about four miles west from 

 Mallow ; and in the Marble-hill quarry the stratification is well displayed, thin 

 beds of black limestone and grey and black slate-clay alternating with each 

 other, the whole dipping 10° to the north ; while the greywacke, sandstone, 

 and slate series, which form its southern and western boundary, dip to the 

 south. West of Dromaneen, the greywacke country extends about six miles, 

 before we reach the transition limestone near Roskeen Bridge, 



Following the Hne of the Blackwater to the east, the limestone is found in 

 some parts occupying both banks, and in others confined to one bank of the 



