1867.] MOOEE — ^ABNOEMAL SECONDAEY DEPOSITS. 207 



the Carboniferous Limestone or on the Dolomitic Conglomerate, the 

 lowest beds of the first assume the abnormal conglomeratic structure 

 characteristic of the Sutton Stone, indicating that the latter was 

 deposited in a shallow sea the bordering land of which was formed 

 of Carboniferous Limestone. 



With regard to the assignment of any special name to these beds, 

 I think the term " Infra-lias " which has been proposed by some 

 authors, is both vague and misleading, and, to quote the words of 

 Dr. Duncan, '• it must be admitted that the terminology is somewhat 

 objectionable"*. The term Lias Conglomerate, used by Sir Henry 

 De la Beche, denoting structural character without reference to 

 actual position in the geological scale, at the same time that it has 

 the advantage of being precise and distinctive, is not open to any 

 objection, and might therefore be adopted with propriety. 



5. On Abnoemal Conditions of Secondaey Deposits wTien con- 

 nected with the SoMEESETSHiEE aiicl South Wales Coal-basins ; 

 and on the Age of the Sutton and Southeendown Seeies. By 

 CflAELES MooEE, Esq., F.G.S. 



[The publication of this paper is unavoidably deferred.] 

 (Abstract.) 

 The author first describes the geological constitution of the Mendip 

 Hills, which, in his opinion, were upheaved by the intrusion of a 

 basaltic dyke (now noticed for tbe first time) during the period of 

 the Upper Trias. The Mendip chain proved an island barrier to the 

 incursion of the deeper sea-deposits of the south, and on it lived the 

 MicroJestes and other terrestrial animals. Along the south side of 

 this barrier shore- deposits were formed, the " Carboniferous Lime- 

 stone " constituting the floor of the ocean at that time. 



He then institutes a comparison between the Ehsetic and Liassic 

 formations within and those without the Somersetshire coal-basin. 

 The thickness of the beds, from the Trias to the Inferior Oolite, is 

 stated to be, outside the coal-field, 3320 feet, whilst inside it is 

 only 169 feet. These results were obtained from an examination of 

 numerous sections, which are described in detail by the author. 



After considering the horizontal deposits beyond the Mendips, 

 and the unconformable conditions within its coal-basin, the author 

 discusses the abnormal conditions which are presented by deposits 

 of the same age when they are intimately connected with the " Car- 

 boniferous Limestone." In the Charterhouse Lead-mine a deposit 

 of clay 12 feet in thickness, and containing Liassic shells, is stated 

 to occur at a depth of 260 feet in the Carboniferous Limestone. 



Among the organic remains, three species of terrestrial shells, re- 

 ferable to the genera Helix , Vertigo, and Proserpi^ia, and a Chara- 

 seed, were discovered. 



The author concludes by pointing out the peculiarities presented 



'^ Ante, p. 24. 



