17^ 



motion of Geological Science, I feel satisfied that every fact 

 and practical observation made by Members, or others, will 

 at all times be readily listened to by you, when commmiicated 

 to the Society. 



It is not my intention at present to offer any remarks upon 

 the long contested question regarding the origin and formation 

 of Coal. My object in bringing the present communication 

 before you is simply to add what is considered to be a fact to 

 those already collected upon this subject ; and further, to 

 place upon your books the name of Mr. Simpson^ your late 

 Curator, as the first discoverer of what have been considered 

 to be CoproHtes in our own immediate Coal-formation. 



Without, therefore, troubling you with a more lengthened 

 preface, you will allow me to read the few following pages, 

 which Mr. Simpson has written at my request, and has kindly 

 permitted me to present to the Society. 



" leaving lately," says he, directed my attention to the 

 remains of Fishes occurring in the roofs of some of the York- 

 shire Coal Beds, it has been thought desirable that I should 

 communicate the result of my observations to this Society. 

 It is well known to several of the members that the remains of 

 fishes occur in many of the dark shales of the Yorkshire Coal 

 Series ; but I shall confine my observations principally to the 

 beds which form the roofs of the Stanley Shale Coal and the 

 Flockton Upper Bed, 



" The first of these, viz. the Stanley Shale Coal, is about 

 80 yards deep at Stanley, near Wakefield, and very near the 

 surface on Westgate Common. It underlies the important 

 sandstone beds of Altofts, Wakefield, and New Miller Dam. 

 At about 18 yards beneath is another bed, called Stanley 

 Main Coal, of very variable quality, which, however, on 

 account of its proximity to the Stanley Shale Bed, is of great 

 service in ascertaining its identity. 



** The Flockton Bed lies about 260 yards beneath the 



