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Indiana University Studies 



the points presented by Fuchs and Reis, and gave an abun- 

 dance of additional evidence. He stated that the strength of 

 the solution theory lies in the unmistakable evidence of the 

 actual removal (not compression) of the material of the one 

 part, which has been penetrated by the column of the opposite 

 part. Wagner's most important contribution to the solution 

 theory was in presenting evidence obtained from a study of 

 fossils associated with stylolites. Especially numerous in the 

 Upper Muschelkalk at Ottendorf were examples found where 

 stylolites had penetrated, and had even completely pierced, 

 mussel shells (see Fig. 29). There was no evidence of me- 

 chanical disturbance of the fossils. The absent materials, 

 Wagner pointed out, had been actually removed by chemical 

 solution. 



Wagner emphasized the view that the principles of Henry 

 and Rieke — that at the places of strongest pressure greatest 

 solution occurs — are primary considerations in the physico- 

 chemical basis of the solution theory. 



Additional important evidence given by Wagner will be 

 presented later in this paper. Wagner summarized his con- 

 clusions as follows (Wagner, 1913, p. 126) : 



1. The pressure theory is not experimentally confirmed. 

 The experiment of Giimbel involved conditions which are not 

 found in nature. 



2. *'Stylolithen", "Drucksuturen", and ''Gerolleindriicke" 

 occur as a result of chemical solution, under pressure, in hard 

 rock. The differing resistance to chemical solution, of dif- 

 ferent portions of the rock, accounts for the interteething of 

 the parts. 



3. From the principles of Henry and Rieke it follows 

 that in places of strongest pressure, greatest solution takes 

 place; that in places of lessened pressure, on the contrary, 

 even a pause in solution can set in. The solution zone is, 

 for that reason, continually at right angles to the direction 

 of pressure, and is therefore over the ends of the stylolites. 

 The side-surfaces remain unattacked because of being parallel 

 to the direction of pressure, and become smoothed and stri- 

 ated thru movement. 



4. The clay cap is the solution residue of the rock mass. 



5. Fossils may crown the stylolites. They always show 

 traces of corrosion. They even show interpenetrated, small 



