MIDDLE LIAS : WOTTON-UNDER-EDGE, 213 
to gel; evidence, and Mr. Etheridge has stated there arc no traces 
whatever of the Middle Lias or Marlstone.* 
Moore remarks that " On tiie top of Bitton Hill, the Upper 
Lias is composed of several ferruginous-looking beds of stone, 
with what appears to be a single bed of the Middle Lias marlstone 
immediately beneath."t 
Glouccstersh ire. 
Following the main escarpment north of Upton Cheney, we 
find the outcrop of the Middle Lias passing through Dyrham, 
Dodington, Old Sodbury, and Hawkesbury, but there are no 
records of sections along this tract. 
Further north the Marlstone is well developed, and the Middle 
Lias forms a platform at llilsley and Alderley, at Wotton- 
under-Edge, North Nibley, Stinchcombe, and Dursley. (See 
Fig. 67.) 
A brickyard situated near the Chapel north of Wotton-under 
Edge, showed about 30 feet of very micaceous bluish-grey and 
brown sandy shales. These are slightly calcareous and are 
indurated here and there. Pyrilic nodules occur, but no organic 
remains were to be seen, lied bricks and drain-pipes are 
manufactured here, but stronger clay (Lower Lias) is brought from 
Bradley Green for the making of the pipes. The total thickness 
of the Middle Lias at Wotton-under-Edge was estimated by 
Bristow at 200 feet. (See Fig. 86, p. 264.) 
The following section in the road from Nibley Church to Nibley 
Green, was recorded by Bristow : 
FT. IN. 
"Brown rock (Marlstone) - - 12 to 14 
Clay - ... 15 6 
Ferruginous sandstone with Eelemnites - 10 
Bluish sandy clay 5 
Iron-band (fossils) - - - 10 
<; Yellowish sand with iron balls - - 27 2 
Iron-band (fossils) - 6 
Thick-bedded sandstone - - - 20 
Sand with iron-bands - - - 50 
Iron-band - 08 
L Sand - ... 33 
The Marlstone has been quarried at Stancombe Park. Explora- 
tions for iron-ore have been made, near Southend Farm, south- 
east of North Nibley, and near Stinchcombe, but the beds are 
not sufficiently rich to repay the cost of working. (See p. 303.) 
* Wright, Quart. Journ. Geol. Soc., vol. xvi. p. 22. 
f Proc. Somerset Arch, and Nat. Hist. Soc., vol. xiii. p. 127. 
