THE GEOLOGIST. 
43 
Next to the Cornbrash the Forest Marble is the most important Porma- 
tion ia this district, which, although occupying hereabouts probably 
a larger area than the former, aud, with its associated clay, thicker 
than the Cornbrash, is equally rich in fossils, and the thicker calcareous 
beds are of some value for economical purposes. There are several 
quarries opened in the neighbourhood of the Agricultural College, where 
many pretty specimens may be obtained. Of course the student will 
pay a visit to the excellent museum of the College, for which so much 
has been done by its present geological professor, Professor Buckman, 
aud if he goes there first, he will observe what are the most character- 
istic fossils found in the Formations under review, and will very likely 
be able to procure many of them. In places, the Forest Marble contains 
traces of land plants, besides marine shells and corals, in which respect 
it resembles the Stonesfield slate, as also in its lithological structure. 
Many of the slabs quarried are very large, and are strongly ripple- 
marked, and, like similar strata deposited in shallow water, are fre- 
quently covered with worm tracks, and other curious markings not 
necessarily of organic origin. 
Near Fairford, in an argillaceous stratum, probably connected with 
the Forest Marble,* numerous species of beautiful corals have been 
discovered, but the locality has been kept secret, and few collectors are 
acquainted with it. This, we think, is to be regretted ; it is a sort of 
close-borough system, which should never be permitted among men of 
science, and we are satisfied that a liberal spirit, both in making known 
interesting localiiies for rare specimens, and a readiness to lend 
them when required, is the real mark of the philosopher, and most 
conducive to the interests of science. 
The Bradford clay, which does not always accompany the Great 
Oolite in its range, is well displayed on the line of the Great Western 
railway near the Ackman-street station ; and, although not exceeding 
seven feet in thickness, is loaded with fossils, upwards of 200 species 
having been collected by Professor Buckman from this spot. Most of 
these are present in the Great Oolite also, but a few, perhaps, may be 
peculiar to it. One of its most striking organisms — the beautiful 
Apiocrinite, or pear-shaped Encriuite, does not occur here, though it 
occurs abundantly in the same stratum at Bradford, in Wiltshire; but 
there are plenty of pretty shells and corals to repay the collector. 
Or, perhaps, the Cornbrash. 
G 2 
