PROCEEDINGS 1839 — 1840. 
71 
the ^lanchester Geological Society, Mr. E. W. Binney, the secretary, 
and Mr. J. E. Bowman be elected honorary members of this Society.' 
The resolution was seconded by Mr. H. Briggs, and unanimously 
agi-eed to. 
A highly philosophical paper was read at this meeting by ]\Ir. T. P. 
Teale, F.L.S., on the Fossil Ichthyology of the Yorkshire Coal-field, in 
which the interdependence of the science of Geology and Practical 
Mining were stated and insisted upon. It is necessary to recollect, 
the only knowledge of the extent and relationship of the several beds 
of coal was derived from the comparison of sections obtained in sinking- 
pits, or, in rare instances, in following the outcrop of the coal along 
the hillsides. It is therefore not surprising to find the learned author 
observing that, within the sphere of the Society's operations, there 
are few objects of greater practical importance than the identification 
of strata. It was formerly imagined that the valuable beds of coal 
worked at Middleton, Haigh Moor and Lofthouse, in this neighbour- 
hood, were identical ; but it has now been demonstrated, by means of 
this Society, that the Main Coal of Middleton is not identical with 
that of Haigh Moor and Lofthouse. But he understood that all are 
not yet agreed whether the Middleton beds occupy a position higher 
or lower in the series than those of Haigh Moor and Lofthouse. ' It 
is however, evident, that if the Middleton beds are lower than the 
others, there must be at Haigh Moor and Lofthouse, beneath the beds 
now worked, beds continuous with those at Middleton ; and on the 
other hand, if the Middleton beds are higher in the scale, there must 
be at Middleton, beneath the present works, beds continuous with 
those of Haigh ^loor and Lofthouse.' It is clear the existence of 
the Society was in rapid progi'ess of justification, for it was a fact of 
no trifling importance to the mining fraternity, and equally so to the 
owners of the land, that it should be proved that such important 
beds of CO :1 as those named, were independent beds on difi"erent 
horizons, a:: l not a continuous seam. The study of the organic 
remains in the several beds was a useful adjunct in the determination 
of the identity of beds in widely separated areas. Mr. Teale instances 
a remarkable illustration of this fact in our own district. At Moor- 
town, three miles north of Leeds, is a bed of black earthy-looking 
