79 
stone of that village, in order if possible to ascertain the position of a 
bed containing the remains of fossil fishes. On arriving at the place, 
the members (of which a pretty good number were in attendance) soon 
gave aural evidence of zeal in the cause, and attracted the visitors to the 
field by the noise of the hammers, especially one of unusual size that was 
brought by an enthusiastic member, and which did good service by 
furnishing material for the smaller instruments. After a good search the 
party were gratified and their exertion well rewarded by attaining the 
object of their excursion. Many portions of the scale of Holoptychius 
and Coccosteus were found, and by this means the bed was traced up to a 
projecting rock from whence the accompanying section was taken. 
SECTION OF OLD RED SANDSTONE AT PORTISHEAD. 
feet, inches. 
Red fissile sandstone 
12 
0 
Hard sandstone ... 
2 
0 
Red sandy marl ... 
0 
11 
Conglomeratic sandstone 
8 
0 
Sandstone, partly conglomerate 
8 
0 
Sandstone 
3 
0 
Fish Bed, course conglomerate at top, passing into 
fine sandstone 
3 
0 
Red sandy marl 
1 
0 
Conglomerate ... 
1 
0 
Sandy marls 
8 
0 
Sandstone 
3 
0 
Sandy marls and thin sandstones 
14 
0 
The rocks in question jut out upon the sea-shore, about a quarter of a 
mile to the west of Battery point. Here the beds dip to the S.S.E. at an 
angle of about 30°. 
Three or four years ago the Rev. Mr. Blenkiron, of Portishead, picked 
up on the beach a loose bit of rock, on which he detected the remains of 
fish scales. He was, however, unable to find the bed from whence it came. 
This important discovery of Mr. Blenkiron's was announced at a monthly 
general meeting of the Naturalists' Society, in February, 1863, when the 
President, Mr. Sanders, pointed out its great value, as fixing the geological 
date of these beds, Holoptychius being characteristic of the upper of the 
three great divisions of the Old Red. The present visit was suggested by 
Dr. Martyn, having lately found fish scales in a conglomeratic bed, that 
occurs on the beach near to the before mentioned rock. The scale appears 
to be restricted to the upper portion of the bed, and none having been 
