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Analysis of Coprolites and other Organic Remains imbedded in 

 the Limestone of Burdiehouse near Edinburgh. By Arthur 

 Connell, Esq. F. R. S. E. 



{Read \lth February 1834, and \§th January 1835.) 



It is not my intention to enter into any detailed description 

 of the external characters of the several interesting organic re- 

 mains which are found imbedded in the limestone of Burdie- 

 house, that being a task which belongs to their distinguished dis- 

 coverer Dr Hibbert. 



As little do I mean to describe the geological relations of the 

 limestone bed, that being equally the province of Dr Hibbert. 

 It will be sufficient to state generally, that it forms one of the 

 lowest members of the carboniferous group, being inferior in posi- 

 tion even to the Encrinal mountain limestone of its immediate vi- 

 cinity ; and that besides its numerous animal remains, some of 

 which will be mentioned in the sequel, it contains throughout its 

 entire mass numerous impressions of land and fresh-water tropical 

 plants. 



The chemical constitution of certain of the animal remains is 

 the subject which I have humbly undertaken to investigate. I 

 shall first advert to the coprolites which are found in vast num- 

 bers imbedded in the limestone. 



All the specimens of coprolites examined, appear to agree in 

 the following general chemical characters. 



When heated in a glass tube in the state of powder, they give 

 moisture and bituminous oil ; and test paper held in the tube 



n n 2 



