74 ESTHERIA-BED IN NORTH-WEST GLOUCESTERSHIRE. 
variety does not resist atmospheric influences to the same 
extent as that exhibiting “ dendritic ” markings, and it may 
be noted that the resisting capabilities of the bed are 
increased in proportion as the lithic structure of the bed 
approaches the latter variety. Since a considerable portion 
of this stratum is soon reducible to a calcareous clay, 
especially when it occurs near the surface, it follows that, 
that portion simulating the dendritic ” markings may be 
said to occur in more or less isolated masses, and the same 
remark may apply to the Gotham Marble bed, for as Mr. 
Beeby Thompson has remarked, It may be that at some 
places the bed is present, but not identified because of the 
absence of the aborescent markings.” 
At Wainlode Cliff the co-existence of Esther ia and 
Naiadita is well known, and as far as my observations 
extended they are confined to one stratum, clearly defined 
palseontologically and lithologically. At Wainlode the 
bed occurs 20 feet above the Upper Keuper greenish-grey 
marls, but from its position in the cliff is almost inacces- 
sible. A few blocks procured in sitio, and from the base 
of the cliff, yielded Estheria^ Naiadita^ and fish scales ; 
also much shell debris. Professor T. Rupert Jones noticed a 
Pteromya^^ and the Rev. P. B. Brodie recorded Cypris 
liassica {Dariuinula)^ but observed that they were not 
abundant. 
Three miles east-north-east of Wainlode the Estheria-hed 
has been exposed in a road -cutting at Coomb Hill, the 
association of Estheria being Naiadita. The stratum was 
not visible in sitic, but detached blocks furnished the re- 
quired material. The Lower Rhaetic of Edward Wilson 
may be examined by a little excavating, and a recent 
measurement placed the Estheria-hQd at a little under 
26 feet above the Upper Keuper ; i.e., accepting the 
position of the stratum as located b}^ H. E. Strickland, and 
