126 
THE GEOLOGIST. 
feet " find " in the way of ferns, to which I shall again allude. In 
this shale are detached " balls " of mine — in other words, lumps of 
iron ore, very rich, and in shape somewhat like quartern loaves. These 
layers are bedded with a certain degree of regularity, and it is to obtain 
them that the rock and rubbish are so energetically pulled down. 
" Balls of mine " is a very common term when speaking of iron ore 
in situ, as also are the terms "bands," "corners," and "pins." The 
next layer, seen in the sketch rather in advance, is one of coal, viz., 
the EUed coal, about 3 feet 5 inches in thickness, and of very good 
quality. Below this, again, we see two other thin seams of coal, sepa- 
rated from each other by a considerable thickness of carbonaceous 
shale, usually called " partings." I hope that this sketch will furnish 
the reader with a tolerably good idea how the coal and iron run. 
The Elkd I'utch. Biaulort. South Wales. 
EXPLANATION. 
1. The first nnrrow band from the top consists of surface soil, &c. 
2. Next is hard sandstone. 
3. 1'he thin shaded hiycr is dark ironstone, not of such good quality as that in 
the next layer (4). This is of great thickness, and consists of shale more or less 
hard, the heaps of which are shown at the bottom. On these shale slates are the 
fern impressions. Tlie little detatched markings are balls of rich ironstone. 
5 Is the Ellcd vein of coal, abouf 3 feet 5 inches thick. 
G Is a smaller vein worked below it. 
7 Is the parting of chinch or rubbish between the veins. The hills to the right 
and left in the distance consist of Pennant sandstone. 
