CORRESPO>'DEyCE. 
93 
whicli affords those of Stagonolepis, by the Rev. G. Gordon, of Birnie, and 
is noticed in a note to a paper on the sandstones of Elgin hj Sir Eoderick 
Murchison, also published in the fifteenth volume of the ' Geological 
Journal.' It is supposed to have been a Saurian reptile, of from 6 to 8 feet 
in length. 
Besides these, numerous slates covered "with reptilian footprints are from 
time to time dug from the neighbouring quarries of Cummiugstone. 
The sandstones containing these remains were originally believed to be- 
long to the upper division of the Old Eed Sandstone series, and are de- 
scribed as such by Sir E. Murchison in the paper above referred to. In 
the note to that paper, however, it is remarked that, in consequence of the 
high organization of these reptiles, and their affinity to those found in 
Mesozoic strata, and as the stratigraphical relation of these sandstones with 
the undoubted Old Eed Sandstones of Elgin cannot, from overlying soil, be 
positively determined, there is considerable reason to suppose that thej' may 
belong to a more modern epoch ; and since that time they have been looked 
on by most geologists as Triassic. The question of age has again been 
opened up lately by the discovery of footprints similar to those of Cum- 
miugstone in sandstones, believed to be Old Eed, in Eoss-shire. At present 
it would premature to give any opinion as to the true position of these 
reptihferous sandstones ; but, as this is being very carefully wrought out 
by well-qualified parties, it is to be hoped that a short time will suffice 
finally to set at rest this qucestio vexata. Jas. Powbie, F.G.S. 
Eestcallie, February 12, 1863. 
Analysis of Bed Chalk. 
Dear Sir, — The article on the above subject, by E. Culvert Clapham, 
Esq., in the ' Geologist ' for January, 1863, p. 29, will no doubt have been 
read ^^ith pleasure by geologists taking interest in such matters, more 
especially those who study the chemical properties of the two strata 
mentioned in the article above alluded to. At the sama time I beg to refer 
Mr. Calvert Clapham to a paper on the Eed Chalk of England, by the 
Eev. T. Wiltshire, in the 'Geologist' for 1859, p. 161. In speaking 
of the analysis of the Eed Chalks of Speeton and Hunstanton, ^Mr. Wilt- 
shire states that "one of the members of the committee of the Geologists' 
Association, Mr. Eickard, has been good enough to make me an analysis. 
" The Speeton is as follovA s : — 
Carbonate of lime, with a litllc alumina 8 1*2 
Peroxide of iron 4'3 • 
Silica 145 
100 
From Hunstanton — 
Carbonate of lime 82 3 
Peroxide of iron 6 "4 
Silica 11-3 
100 
The above results of Mr. Eickard are nearly the same as those pro- 
duced by Mr. Calvert Clapham. The latter gentleman seems to have paid 
more minute attention to the minor contents of the substances analysed. 
