.1868.]' • JUDD SPEETON CLAY. 237 



Bogotji which was shown to me by Mr, Woodward of the British 

 Museum, I noticed undoubted specimens of Ammonites Astierianus 

 and Exogyra subsi7iuata, evidently from the same deposit. 



D. Fortlandian. — The junction of the Neocomian and Jurassic 

 beds at Speeton is indicated (as is so frequently the case when two 

 distinct formations are seen in apposition) by a layer of phosphatic 

 nodules and saurian remains. Por first pointing out this very inter- 

 esting fact we are indebted to Mr. Leckenby*. I am also inclined 

 to believe that the break is still further marked by an unconformity 

 between the comparatively slightly disturbed Neocomian beds and 

 the highly contorted Upper Jurassic. Unfortunately the present 

 state of the section will not permit of our arriving at any definite 

 conclusion on this point. 



The Jurassic beds of Filey Bay do not afford the same facilities for 

 their study as those already described ; and we have to be satisfied 

 with only slight and occasional exposures of them. This circum- 

 stance, however, is the less to be regretted, as, with the exception 

 of the highest zone, they are all very completely represented in other 

 parts of England. 



This highest zone, which Mr. Leckenby considers referable to 

 the Portlandian — an opinion in which I fully concur — consists of 

 three portions. The uppermost of these is formed by the bed of 

 phosphatic nodules ('' Coprolite-bed " of the workmen), and is seen 

 on the shore below the cliff when it has been bared of sand and 

 shingle by storms. It also reappears under similar circumstances on 

 the shore near Hunmanby Gap, a mile to the north of the last-men- 

 tioned locahty, into which position it is brought by the enormous 

 contortions to which these beds have been subjected. At the lower 

 part of New Closes Cliff the '' Coprolite bed" again occurs, and is 

 there extensively worked (vide Appendix C). The bed, which ave- 

 rages only 5 inches in thickness, consists of very dark-coloured 

 heavy nodules of phosphatic matter much mixed with pyrites. 

 It contains numerous casts of shells, of a black colour and much 

 eroded, and not unfrequently bones of saurians. Some years- ago 

 the nearly perfect skeleton of a Plesiosaurus was found in this bed, 

 a portion of which is now in the possession of Lord Loiidi^sborough. 

 The fossils of this bed are as follows : — 



Ammonites gigas, Zeit. 



rotundas, Sow. 



Lucina Portlandica, Sow. 

 Area (casts). 

 Nucula (casts). 



Lithodomus (crypts). 



(Other indeterminate casts.) 



Wood. 



Bones of Saurians and Fish. 



Below the " Coprolite bed " occurs a layer of peaty clay contain- 

 ing fish-remains. This bed is now entirely concealed, and I am 

 indebted to Mr. Leckenby for information as to its true position. 



The lowest and principal portion of the Portlandian at Speeton 

 consists of dark-coloured clays, with hard stony bands. These 

 cannot be seen in the cliff, owing to the workings which have been 



* Wright's Mon. Brit. Cret. Echin. (1864) p. 9. 



