69 
On the DISCOVERY of SPONGE SPICULES in the 
CHERT BEDS of FLINTSHIRE. 
By G. H. Morton, F.G.S. 
[Read 28rd April, 1887.] 
A FEW months ago, while preparing specimens for a 
paper on ‘‘ The Microscopic Characters of the Cefn-y-Feda 
Sandstones of Denbighshire and Flintshire,’’* I was so 
fortunate as to discover Sponge spicules in the Chert-beds 
overlying the Carboniferous Limestone near Chirk, Holy- 
well and Prestatyn. The Chert at the two latter places 
is about 250 feet thick, and is probably the greatest deposit 
of Sponges in Britain. The spicules consist of minute 
rods, which are frequently so numerous as to cross and 
interlace each other and form a felted moss, which is 
particularly well seen in some weathered specimens. 
Recently, Dr. G. J, Hinde, F.G.S. has found similar 
spicules in the Carboniferous Chert of Yorkshire and 
Ireland, and he has visited the localities in Flintshire, 
and confirmed my discovery by collecting specimens for 
himself. Dr. Hinde states, that ‘‘ The preservation of the 
Sponge-remains in the Irish Carboniferous Chert is much 
less favourable than in the corresponding Chert-beds of 
the Yoredale series in Yorkshire and North Wales; the 
spicules are far more eroded, and consequently it is more 
dificult to determine their characters. Most of these 
spicules probably belong to the Monactinellide, though 
some of the larger forms may be those of Tetractinellid 
Sponges.’ t Only the spicules occur, and no _ perfect 
Sponge has yet been found. 
Ee= Etec. pool Geol. Soc.,” vol. v., p. 271. 
+ ‘Organic Origin of Chert.”” Geol. Mag., Ser. iii., vol. iv., p. 435. 
