136 
ON THE GOTHAM MARBLE 
markings, may form very continuous bands ; and at 
Redland and Stoke Gifford, patches of perfectly typical 
Landscape Marble, respectively 20 yards and 100 yards in 
length, have been exposed. 
Its geological horizon is at the top of the Rhaetic series 
just below the White Lias, and separated by clays and 
limestones from the Black Shales. It is at the horizon 
of special abundance of Monotis decussata, which fossil 
abounds in the less pure shelly forms of the marble. 
Modiola minima, is usually more abundant. The other 
fossils are Chemnitzia nitida (Moore) Rhynchonella 
calcicosta, Axinus sp., and among fish Pholidophorus 
nitidus, P. Higginsi (Strickland), and Legnonotus 
Cothamensis (Egerton), the above being represented 
by complete specimens, while SpJiaerodus minimus 
and SauricJithys apicalis are represented only by teeth. 
The elytra of beetles and insect wings are also found. 
A general description of the stone itself is scarcely 
necessary after Thompson’s excellent account (VI). A 
few points may however be mentioned. 
In Vertical Section. 
The stone consists of ^ — 
(а) Basement beds, of very variable thickness. The 
thicker bands are usually paler. Bands often die out 
in a way that recalls current-bedding. 
(б) The “ Hedge ” — a row of dark close-set projections 
from J to ^ an inch high. Each of these projections is 
concentrically ringed. 
(c) The “ Atmosphere ” and “ Trees.'' The “ trees ” are 
usually freely branched above, and always rise from the 
bottom to the top, as may easily be verified by dissection, 
though this is often concealed by their obliquity, some 
appearing to have no stem, and others no top, if they are 
examined only in one plane. The “ trees ” and “ branches ” 
are concentrically ringed. They are harder and darker 
