ON MARINE FOSSILS IN THE COAL-MEASURES OF FIFE. 74' 



41. On the Occurrence of Marine Fossils in the Coal-measures of 

 PiFE. By James W. Kirkby, Esq. (Read June 20, 1888.) 



(Oommunicated by Prof. T. Eupbrt Jones, F.R.S., F.G.S.) 



This paper records the discovery of fossils of good marine types in 

 the Fifeshire Coal-measures. Reference is also made to the occur- 

 rence of similar fossils in the same formation elsewhere. 



The Fifeshire Coal-measures* form a comparatively small field on 

 the north shore of the Firth of Forth, where they abut on the coast- 

 line from Dysart eastward to Largo. They extend only two or 

 three miles inland where the field is widest. On the west they are 

 bounded by outcropping beds equivalent to Millstone-Grit ; on the 

 north by faulted strata of the Carboniferous-Limestone series. On 

 the east and south they are bounded by the sea, beneath which they 

 dip. Including an upper set of red beds {cV" of the Geological 

 Survey maps), there is a thickness of over 2000 feet of these 

 measures ; but all the workable coals are in the lower portion (d^ of 

 the Geological Survey maps) : see vertical section at p. 748. 



The prevailing fossils of this coal-field are those always charac- 

 teristic of the formation in other districts. The flora is essentially 

 the same as in the North of England. Among the animal fossils 

 usually met with are Anthracosia acuta, Anthracomya modiolaris, 

 Anthracoptera carinata, and other Lamellibranchs of this family. 

 Spirorbis carbonarius is the common Annelid. The Ostracods consist 

 of various species of Oarbonia, with BeyricJiia arcuata ; with them 

 also occurs the phyllopod Leaia Leidyi. Among the fish are 

 Megalichthys Hibberti, Strepsodus sauroides, Diplodus gibbosus, 

 and well-known species of Otenodus, Coelacanthus, Ehizodopsis, 

 Acanthodios, Palceoniscus, &c. The Amphibians Loxomma Allmanni 

 and Anthracosaurus Musselli are the highest forms of animal life 

 represented. 



Of late years pits have been sunk further on the dip for the 

 purpose of winning the deeper-lying coal of the field. One of these 

 was put down to the Chemise Seam in 1884-5 by Messrs. Eowman 

 & Co.t, of the Muiredge Collieries. This pit, which is now known 

 as the Denbeath Colliery, is situated near the shore, between the 

 villages of Methil and Buckhaven, in the parish of Wemyss. 



The sinking commenced in the upper red beds, which are well 

 exposed on the shore adjoining. These beds were sunk through to 

 the extent of nearly 70 fathoms, and then the underlying portion of 

 the series was reached. A few fathoms in this lower division, and 

 above a thin band of poor coal, a thick bed of dark shale was passed 

 through, the material from it being tipped over the waste-heap along 

 with the other excavated rock from the sinking. 



* The Upper Coal-measures were treated of in the Quart. Journ. Geol. Soc. 

 vol. xxxviii. p. 245, &c. 

 t Whom I have to thank for information very readily given. 



