332 R. I. MuRCHisoN, Esq. and H. E. Strickland, Esq., on the 



§ 1. Saliferous Marls and Sandstone (For. Si/n. Keuper — Marnes Irisees.). 



Having examined the junction-beds between the lias and the new red sand- 

 stone from the southern extremity of Gloucestershire through Worcestershire 

 into Warwickshire, we have only to repeat what was adduced by one of us on 

 previous occasions, that in many positions the lowest calcareous band or " lime- 

 stone of the lower lias shale" is also underlaid by shale, which passes into the new 

 red system by alternations of whitish sandy marlstone, black shivery schist, and 

 greenish marls, with occasional courses of very thinly laminated, flag-like sand- 

 stone. The uppermost zone of the new red system, beneath these junction 

 beds, is composed of whitish-green marl, and is succeeded by red marl, which 

 passes downwards, alternating frequently with party-coloured marls, though 

 red for the most part predominates. As the country, occupied by these marls, 

 presents few steep acclivities or neatly cut escarpments, it is not often easy to 

 estimate, with precision, the depth beneath the junction lias beds at which 

 a change of mineral character is first perceived; but we may state, that a zone 

 of sandstone rises, at many places, from beneath the upper portion of these 

 marls. This Keuper sandstone we have detected at intervals, and we have laid 

 it down on the accompanying Map (See Plate XXVII.). It lies at a distance 

 varying generally from half a mile to three miles, from the lowest edge of the 

 lias, the distance changing with the angle of inclination of the strata; its rela- 

 tive position being also dependent on dislocations along the boundary line. 

 There are, however, localities where this sandstone is covered by a consider- 

 able thickness of red marl ; and by prolonging the course of the strata beneath 

 adjoining platforms of lias, we have been enabled to estimate, that this sand- 

 stone is separated from the lias by at least 200 feet of red and green marls. 

 It was stated, on former occasions, that this rock appears in Gloucestershire, 

 at Tibberton, in the form of sandy marlstone, and that it re-appears at Burge- 

 hill* quarries, near Eldersfield, at the southern extremity of Worcestershire. 

 (See S.W. corner of the Map, PI. XXVII.). The section of these quarries is, 



1 . Red marl about 4 Feet. 



2. Greenish grey marl 5 — 



3. Thinly laminated marl, with white gritty sandstone 2 — 



4. Soft white sandstone 6 — 



5. Greenish and grey marly sandstone 8 — 



— 16 



Dip 10° towards the south. 25 



* This place, though spelt Burg-hill on the Ordnance Map, is invariably pronounced with the 

 soft g-. 



