414 



FOSSILS OF THE 



[Ch. XXVI. 



the time when the ancient Red Shale, usually termed, in the United 

 States, " infra-carboniferous," was in the course of deposition. 



In Ireland, the upper beds of the Old Red or yellow sandstone of 

 Kilkenny contain fish of the genera Coccosteus and Dendrodus, charac- 

 teristic forms of this period, together with plants specifically distinct 

 from any known in the coal-measures, but referable to the genera found 

 in them ; as, for example, Lepidodendron and Cyclopteris (see figs. 538 

 and 539). The stems of the latter have, in some specimens, broad bases 

 of attachment, and may therefore have been tree-ferns. 



Fig. 538. 



Fig. 539. 



Stem of Lepidodendron, so compressed as 

 to destroy the quincunx arrangement of 

 the scars. Upper Devonian, Kilkenny. 



Cyclopteris Hibemica, Forbes. 

 Upper Devonian, Kilkenny. 



Fig. 540. 



In the same strata shells having the form of the genus Anodon, and 

 which probably belonged to freshwater testacea, occur. Some geologists, 

 it is true, still doubt whether tbese beds ought not rather to be classed 

 as the lowest beds of the carboniferous series, together with the yellow 

 sandstone of Mr. Griffiths (see p. 359) ; but the associated ichthyolites 

 and the distinct specific character of the plants, seem to favor the opinion 

 above expressed. 



B. (Table, p. 412.) — We come next to the middle division of the 

 " Old Red," as exhibited south of the Grampians, and consisting of — 1st, 

 red shale and sandstone, with some cornstone, occupying the Valley of 

 Strathmore, in its course from Stonehaven to the Firth of Clyde ; and, 



2dly, of a conglomerate, seen both at 

 the foot of the Grampians, and on the 

 flanks of the Sidlaw Hills, as shown in 

 the section at p. 48, Nos. 1, 2, and 3. 

 In the uppermost part of the divi- 

 sion No. 1, or in the beds which, 

 in Fife, underlie the yellow sand- 

 stone, the scales of a large ganoid 

 fish, of the genus Holoptychius, were 

 first observed by Dr. Fleming, at 

 Clashbinnie, near Perth ; and an en- 

 tire specimen, more than 2 feet in 

 length, was afterwards found by Mr. 

 Noble. Some of these scales (see fig. 



Scale of Holoptychius 

 Clashbinnie. 



Nat. size. 



simus, Agas. 



540) measured 3 inches in length, and 2^- in breadth. 



