48 



THE GEOLOGIST. 



Bhire, but it is quite possible that other and larger genera flourished 

 in that part of the country which formed the then existing land. 

 These were accompanied by a gigantic carnivorous reptile, the Mega- 

 losaurus, which roamed at large amongst the tropical Palms, Zamia and 

 Cycas, which constituted a portion of the oolitic flora. 



Another singular flying lizard, called the Pterodactyl, uniting in 

 itself the characters of several distinct groups, appears to have abounded 

 at the same time. 



The common fossils are the remains of land plants, which occur more 

 or less throughout the slate, fronds of ferns and small fruits being the 

 most prevalent. The shells associated with the above are entirely 

 marine, and usually exist only in the form of casts. Two new beautiful 

 species of Star-fish have been met with, the largest belonging to the 

 recent genus Solaster. The latter is a single specimen, and was 

 obtained by Lord Ducie from the quarries at Windrush, in whose 

 collection it now is. He also possesses an entire fossil fish from the 

 same place, the first one, in a perfect state, ever found in the Gloucester- 

 shire oolites. 



We have dwelt longer upon the fossil contents of the Stonesfield slate, 

 because it afl'ords a clearer insight into the geological history of its 

 Eormation, and the terrestrial conditions which prevailed. They were 

 clearly very diff'erent to those of the higher zone which succeeded it, 

 and yet, throughout the whole, the changes were often marked and 

 variable — indicated not only by the lithological structure of the stone, 

 but also by the character of the fossils. 



We think the student must be interested in the details given above, 

 and we are sure that a careful examination of the whole of the district, 

 the geological features of which have been thus imperfectly described, 

 will amply repay any time or labour spent upon it. 



We hope, in our next article, to resume the subject, and to give a 

 brief account of the Inferior Oolite and Lias in their turn. 



[Since writing the above, !Mr. Lycett's monograph on " The Cottes- 

 wold Hills has appeared, and the student would do well to obtain 

 a copy, as it gives him a most complete and admirable account of 

 the country referred to in this paper, especially the southern part of 

 it, with which Mr. Lycett is well acquainted.] 



'•^ Piper and Stephenson, price 5s. 



