162 PROCEEDINGS OF THE GEOLOGICAL SOCIETY. [Dec. 22, 
3. Origin of the Ore.—The mode of occurrence of the conglomerate 
bed of iron-ore and the associated strata clearly demonstrates a sedi- 
mentary origin. The lignite has been derived from a plant-growth 
in situ, upon an eroded surface of basalt. The shaly beds have 
originated in the tranquil deposition of argillaceous and arenaceous 
materials mingled with some ferruginous matter, all derived from 
the degradation of basaltic rocks in the immediate vicinity. The 
presence of fragments of plants, chiefly leaves and small branches 
(for rarely do we find large pieces of wood), points to the growth of a 
terrestrial vegetation near the margins of a morass, or sheet of water, 
probably a lake. The finely laminated structure of the strata and 
the delicate nature of the parts of the plants preserved require a 
tranquil accumulation by aqueous agency. 
The conglomerate-bed results from the degradation of the pisolitic 
iron-ore, of which it is chiefly reconstructed, and of the underlying 
ochres : it appears to have rapidly formed, and, so far as we know at 
present, brought to a close that period of rest in the volcanic activity 
during which these sedimentary beds had been accumulating. 
The following analyses of the more spheroidal portion of the 
Ballypalidy ore indicate a close affinity with the pisolitic iron-ore of 
Tully, near Glenarm (see p. 159), and confirm our observations as to 
the source whence the ferruginous materials of the irregularly stra- 
tified beds at Ballypalidy have been derived. 
Analyses of Brown Aluminous Hematite *. 
Sesquioxide of iron ...........ceeeeeeeeeee ene CHIN encode 27-93 
TERORORGEK (O10 THOM caooonondodenacoopnoccn6o500eT 6:57 «0... 5:08 
a of manganese ............------------ O;0baeaae tr. 
UNI brvWlay:)p a2 nas See aric SREP EE CaACUREROREAEC HEROD PBIB) sso05e 34:57 
i Binal Ieae Pe eh eae rin sire a seme aap Aen Rani O6OM ee 0-91 
Mia pnesia&. cacti ndsmusar mr asaeectis cesccscacsties sors (O40) Beane 0:62 
Potash MeN eer cma emns ce cist eea se ciosaeeieanae (2288) 7 Gecnee —_ 
Silica esa ee aesen ees ace seceneoeuadicostouneeees S715) Soo000 9:87 
iPhosphoriciacidlaseenessesreecreeeeeeeaseceensee Son eeseoes tr. 
BELLS BESS ARBOR sHiaa Bacto LoDo Rac Cn AOcaOCOnHaBEG WSHGO) — secsne 19-36 
Pitamiclacid ..s. ceesatecsecese ce csensccmonesee eee — beeen 3:51 
100712 101°85 
4, Plant-remains of the Series.—Though Mr. Baily’s account of 
the plants found at Ballapalidy is the first published record of the oc- 
currence of vegetable remains associated with the basalts of Antrim, 
yet their presence in these same beds was known as early as 1862, 
soon after the commencement of mining operations at that locality. 
The discovery we owe to Mr. Rowland Smeeth, a pupil of one of us; 
and it was made public in a course of geological lectures delivered at 
Belfast. The plants then obtained were few in number, Pinus and 
Cupressites being the only forms identified. But the priority of 
discovery of plants in the Antrim basalt we accord to Dr. J. Bryce, 
F.G.S., who, with an unaccountable diffidence, hesitated to make 
known his researches, though a favourable opportunity offered on the 
* Percy, Metallurgy of Iron, p. 207. 
