Upper Formations of the New Red Sandstone S7/stem. 339 



as previously stated, we have detected it at Burge-hill and Inkberrow, in 

 Worcestershire, and at Shrevt^ley Common, in Warwickshire, where it is very 

 abundant in some of the sandstone beds. 



Batrachian. — Our proofs of the existence of probably a Batrachian in this 

 rock, are similar to those which have been held sufficient to establish the claims 

 of the sandstones of other countries to a similar distinction, viz. the impres- 

 sions of the feet of animals. The slabs which we lay before the Society will, 

 we trust, bear out this inference. (Fig. 1.) We found these interesting 

 relics in the sandstone of Shrewley Common. They afford the same proofs 

 as those which were insisted on in the case of the footsteps of tortoises in 

 Dumfries-shire, viz. the same inverted position of the claws — similar raised 

 portions of sandstone behind each impression, caused by the progressive move- 

 ment of the animal — and similar indentations proving occasional halts in the 

 march of the animal ; in short, all the indicia by which the Rev. Dr. Duncan 

 was first led to refer the impressions in the red saiul.^tone of Dumtries-shire to 

 the footsteps of animals, and by which Dr. Buckland sustained and established 

 those views. The Warwickshire impressions are further (iistinguished by 

 a depressed groove, running intermediate between the footsteps, and appa- 

 rently caused by the tail of the animal dragging in the soft sand. Plate 

 XXVIIL, fig. 1, represents a large slab, now in the Warwick Museum, the 

 counterpart of that which we have presented to tlie Society. These footsteps, 

 which are given of their natural size in fig. 2, bear some resemblance to one 

 of ihe Hildburghausen species figured in Buckland's " Bridgewater Treatise," 

 Plate XXVI'"; and supposed by Mr. Owen, Mr. Broderip, and other zoo- 

 logists who have examined them, to belong to some genus of crocodilean sau- 

 rian. Greater accuracy of definition cannot at present be attained ; but per- 

 haps, when the science of comparative ichnology shall be more advanced, the 

 nature of the animal, which has leit us tliese faint traces of its existence, may 

 be ascertained with greater precision. 



Teeth of Fishes, — Two small teeth of squaioid fishes were found at Shrew- 

 ley. 



§2. New Red Sandstone {For. Syn., " Bunter Sandstein" and " Gres 



Bigarre."). 



The red sandstone of Gloucestershire (as described on former occasions), 

 is comparatively of small dimensions; but, as the formation advances to the 

 north of Worcester, it expands, and massive strata of sandstone rise from be- 

 neath the thick cover of marls above described. The uppermost beds of this 

 great sandstone formation are distinctly exhibited, at various places, between 



VOL. V. SECOND SERIES. 2 Y 



