236 



LYELL'S ELEMENTS OF GEOLOGY. 



Upper New Red Sandstone. 



Lias before described. But when we extend our observations 

 over England and other countries, we no longer find this simpli- 

 city of structure ; but perceive that the strata between the Lias 

 and the Coal are divisible into two very distinct systems, which 

 will be understood from the accompanying Table, and the 

 description which follows. 



NEW RED SANDSTONE GROUP. 



Poikilitic group of 



Conybeare and BucJclandJ 



Synonyms. 



a. Saliferous marls 

 and sandstone . . . 



b. (wanting in Eng- 

 land) 



c. Sandstone and 

 quartzose congl 

 merate 



d. Magnesian lime- 

 stone (dolomitic 

 conglomerate) . . . 



e. Lower New Red 

 sandstone. 



\ 

 \ 



German. French. 

 Keuper Marnes irisees. 



Mnsrhplkalk 5 Muschelkalk, ou cal- 

 Muschelkaik .... J ^^-^.^ coquiUiere. 



Bunter sandstein | Gres bigarre. 



Zechstein, and C Zechstein, on schiste 

 Kupfer schie- < cuivreux — et Cal- 

 fer (J caire Magnesien. 



J Gres des Vosges, 

 couches inferi- 

 eures ? 



UPPER NEW RED SANDSTONE. 

 (^Including the Muschelkalk of the Germans.) 



The Lias is succeeded in England by strata of red and green 

 marl, or clay, which are conformable to the Lias, and pass into 

 it, as in Gloucestershire. It is in this upper New Red system 

 that rock-salt and salt springs occur in Cheshire and other parts 

 of England ; and to this, therefore, the term " Saliferous marl 

 and sandstone formation, is properly applicable. ""j" It consists, 

 in Cheshire, of alternating beds of red and green clay, or marl, 

 gypsum, and rock-salt, upwards of 600 feet in thickness. 



A few traces only of fossil shells, fish, and plants have been 

 detected in this formation in England ; but in a corresponding 

 position in Germany there occur similar strata of red sandstone 

 and marl, in which are many organic remains, and associated 

 with the same a great calcareous formation called the " Mus- 



* From -koikCKos, Poikilos, variegated, see Buckland, Bridgw. Treat., vol. ii. 

 p. 38., because some of the most characteristic strata of this group were called 

 variegated by Werner, from their exhibiting spots and streaks of light blue, 

 green, and buff colour, in a red base. 



t Murchison, Silurian System, p. 32. 



