102 
A RH^TIC SECTION AT REDLAND. 
Proceedings (1879, p. 292). Since that time it seems to have 
escaped notice. It has been found in the Trias, near 
Clifton Down station, and in the Rhsetic on Gotham Hill. 
It is usually in a decomposed state, but in these beds 
some good unweathered crystals occur. This mineral is a 
local rarity, as Bristol appears to be the only British 
locality, the other places noted being Hanover-Bex (Switzer- 
land), and Lake Erie. 
As another member, Mr. James Parsons, is preparing some 
notes on this mineral, it is needless to allude to its com- 
position, but the following physical differences from Celestine 
may be mentioned : — more opaque, crystals smaller, and 
always radiate, angles obscure, lustre duller, more brittle, 
weathers rapidly to a soft powder, does not occur in 
geodes, but in veins and fissures, and generally has more 
of the appearance of Barytes than of Celestine, although the 
latter is the " predominant partner." 
The beds in this section have been deposited in a shallow 
sea. or estuary in the immediate proximity of land, whether 
mainland or islands is not quite clear. The presence of 
insects, land plants, also ripple marks, sun cracks, and beach 
remanie constitute the evidence. There is little doubt that 
we are here on the fringe of the great Hhsetic Sea, the 
great mass of the deposit occurring in the Rhsetian Alps 
of Lombardy, the Tyrol, etc., where some 3,000 feet to 4,000 
feet have been noted. Considering this great thickness of beds, 
and the characteristic fauna therein, the question arises as 
to the advisability of still naming these as " transition " or 
"passage beds," and whether they are not entitled to be 
considered as a distinct formation." 
Note. — Professor Sollas writes with reference to these " Naia- 
dites " plants : — Thank you for the fresh material to hand, 
which has proved very useful. I asked my daughter to undertake 
