614 J. W. DAVIS ON REMAINS OF FOSSIL FISHES 
42. On some Rematns of Fosstt Fisues from the YoReDALE SERIES 
at LeyBuRN in WENSLEYDALE. By James W. Davis, Esq., 
F.G.8., &. (Read December 19, 1883.) 
[Puares XXVI. & XXVII.] 
In Yorkshire the fossil remains of fishes in Carboniferous strata other 
than those of the Coal-measures are comparatively rare. Some species 
have been found in the Millstone-grit series, notably in a calcareous 
bed of sandstone at Hebden Bridge, near Halifax. Immediately 
below the Millstone Grit in Wensleydale there are a number of 
alternating beds of limestone, shale, and sandstone, about 1000 feet 
in thickness, to which Prof. Phillips applied the term “ Yoredale 
Series.” In the uppermost bed of these rocks, namely the Crow 
Limestone, a number of fish-remains have been discovered, and in 
the next limestone, about 60 feet lower in the series, a most 
important stratum has been found, which contains an immense 
assemblage of the remains of fossil fishes of extremely varied 
and, in some instances, extraordinary types. The limestone was 
named by Prof. Phillips the ‘‘ Main Limestone,” and is locally known 
by the term “ Red Beds,” derived from the reddish colour of the 
limestone. It has a crystalline texture and presents a coarse and 
rough appearance. It has been worked at the Harmby limestone- 
quarry near the railway-station at Leyburn, and it is from this 
quarry that the greatest number of fossils have been obtained. 
They principally occur on one horizon about 30 feet below the 
original surface of the ground; and when a fresh exposure of this 
horizon or stratum is made during the operation of quarrying, the 
fish-remains, consisting for the most part of teeth, and an occasional 
spine, may be seen scattered over the surface in large numbers. 
They are nevertheless extremely difficult to detach, and fracture 
with the limestone in a most tantalizing manner, so that com- 
paratively few good specimens can be secured. 
I am indebted to Mr. J. A. Rodwell, mining engineer, for the 
following section of the strata in Wensleydale, taken at the Keld 
Head lead-mines. It will show the relative position of the beds 
more clearly than a description in words :— 
fms. ft. in 
( Gxt oo cacacs ba ccoocesaceu cee -seeneases oeu-p nets E ene oe aaee eee 6 0 0 
» gs | Bate or while Morr oecccenecepe ene eo ne ates ear eeere eee i 0-9 
OE | Millstowe-orit 2. 2.22 2ee sae ae ee G6 O70 
ee piBbasleorat (. occty ods cance nactate epee ee oh nasees 1098 
teas : Plate and girdles <...20-.icecesdenesesoes hese oe ee 40 0 
ee fSbone plate, . 5... .osce~- ca penmenen saan eae ee ee 1 en 
iS fl Goat fk sh cea ee ee ee oe 6 inches to. 0 3 6 
\ Grits and shales alternately in thin beds.................. li Oe 
Crow ‘Ghert <0... ccc.. pessbencceas cy anenn en ecee eae 3 fas 
Crow limestone (fish-remains) .............2ssseeeeeseeeeees 2 4 6 
GEMUBLQHES oo. dnt secon sebeneansonseb eee deensoseene eee eee GC" Wee 
PIabO Ae ccckaen nai semmicuseinc a ads eksceieedaegeene epee ene ae 3 0 0 
Girdles and shale | <5 .cs<2cec sceceqeneeoe-pnee== Pere ee eeenee eee 20 8 
