aS 
742 PROF. J. W. JUDD ON THE NATURE ‘AND RELATIONS OF 
made up, are for the most part quite unrecognizable, and they are 
frequently coated with deposits of calcic carbonate. 
But as the boring was carried downwards, and more or less per- 
fectly recognizable fossils were brought to the surface, I became 
gradually impressed with the conviction that these fossils represent 
a Jurassic and not a Neocomian fauna, and all doubt on the subject 
was removed when the beds (6) were reached. In these an enormous 
number of fossils occurred; Brachiopoda, Bryozoa, Echinodermata, 
and many other forms being found in the richest profusion, and it 
soon became apparent that the forms of life represented in these beds 
were for the most part identical with those occurring in the Bradford 
Clay of Wiltshire, and in the “ Caleaire a polypiers” of Ranville in 
Normandy, that is to say, that they were of Great-Oolite age. 
Upon my communicating this very interesting and somewhat un- 
expected result to Prof. Prestwich, who from the first has taken 
the liveliest interest in this investigation, he agreed with me that 
it would be well, in order to minimize the risk of error in the 
identification of the fossils, to submit the forms representing certain 
groups to paleontologists who have made them their special study. 
After obtaining as many specimens as possible by the most care- 
ful washing, sifting, and picking of every particle of the clays 
brought to the surface, I submitted the Brachiopoda to Mr. T. 
Davidson, LL.D., F.R.S., and the Bryozoa to Mr. G. R. Vine. In 
doing so I merely stated that the specimens were obtained from a 
well, and carefully abstained from any indication of my own con- 
viction as to the age of the beds. 
In reply to my letter, in which I especially asked if it were 
possible that any of the forms might belong to Cretaceous species, 
Mr. Davidson wrote as follows :— 
[After identifying the three Brachiopods sent as Yerebratula 
coarctata, Terebratula maaillata, and Rhynchonella concinna, he says: | 
‘‘ From the examination of the three species I should be under the 
impression that you have pitched upon Jurassic rocks, not older or 
younger than the Great Oolite, Forest Marble, or Bradford Clay.” 
Mr. G. R. Vine wrote concerning the Bryozoa which I sent him, 
‘*T found my opinion upon the fossils only ; I know nothing of the 
circumstances of the find, other than the fact you furnish me with 
in the letter—that the material has been found in the boring of a 
well. The fossils are of the age of the Great Oolite, not earlier, and 
probably not later, than the Forest Marble or Bradford Clay.” 
The other fossils in the following list will be seen to fully bear out 
these views. ‘The strata are of Great-Oolite age, and as the Bradford 
Clay and Forest Marble were deposited under conditions very similar 
to those which must have prevailed when these clays were formed, 
the nearest approach to their fauna is found in those formations. 
Mr. Vine remarks upon the exquisite state of preservation of 
these Bryozoa as follows :—*‘ Most of the Oolite species that I have 
gathered are either waterworn or broken from rocks. In this 
material the cell-mouth and the zoartwm are as clear and sharp as 
in any of the Montechio (Hocene) Polyzoa.” - 
