XOTES AND QUEEIES. 



171 



On the upturned blooks I have examined thousands of these, jointed stems, 

 some eight, ten, and twelve inches in length ; and though I have been able to 

 detect what appears to me to be the roots, in situ, I have never yet been 

 fortunate enough to obtain a specimen of the beautiful "cup-like" body of 

 Cyathocrinus, or the more ornamental Encrinus moniliformis. There are several 

 kinds of sea-lilies in the Mountain-limestone ; and they range throughout the 

 greater part of the paleozoic and secondary ages of our world's history. 

 Their eutombed remains form a large portion of the solid-work of our globe ; 

 and palaces, castles, churches, and huge bridges are being, and have been 

 constrncted of the rocks formed of their stony skeletons. The works of man, 

 alas ! are puny and insignificant compared with the mountain-accumulations of 

 the Encrinites of the ancient seas. 



The Afolhisca of the Kil Toom bed differ in no respect, so far as I am acquainted 

 with them, from the Moluscaof the Mountain-limestone generally. I will not, 

 however, speak positively on this point. Terebraluhe, Spirifers, and Producti 

 I have seen in situ; but specimens are very difficult to get, owing to the hard- 

 ness of the stone. There are other fossils besides those I have named. 



Mountain Limestone, Kil Toom. The stone crops out on a level with the road. 

 Strike north and east. Dip east. Angle about 28 degrees. Depth 50 feet. 



The next quarry of any note in the vicinity of Athlone is situated at Coorsan 

 Point, on the eastern border of Lough Kee. There are two roads leading to 

 the quarry : one by the river, through the village of Coorsan ; the other by a 

 house called — from a peculiarity in the architectural design — " TTeligan's folly." 

 The geological tourist should take the latter. Between the town aud the lake 

 many interesting sections of rocks belonging to the Drift-era will be observed 

 on either side of the road. Huge boulders of Mountain-limestone, several 

 tons in weight, lie scattered over the plains on either hand. At one particular 

 spot, about midway between the town and the lake, it would be no unprofitable 

 study if the tourist halted for an hour to examine the position of those boulders, 

 how they rest upon the stratified sands and gravels, and how the atmosphere 

 has made sad havoc with their exposed surfaces. These boulders may at one time 

 have belonged to the Coorsan bed ; but of this I should not like to speak 

 positively. 



In several of the smaller boulders I have found Orthis resupinata, and 

 Euomphalus pentangulata in company with Syringopora reticulata. Now I have 



