86 FOSSILIFEROUS HAEMATITE NODULES IN LEICESTERSHIRE. 
coal field, at Swadlincote, nodular red haematite (to be 
referred to in the sequel) occurs in the “blue binds” overlying 
the “ fire-clay” measures. At a depth of 75yds. in the shafts 
of the Shireoaks Colliery, near Worksop, a seam of red iron¬ 
stone (haematite) about 15in. thick was passed through. This 
is very high up in the coal measures of the district.* 
A singular seam of red haematite exists in the lower 
measures of the Clieadle coal field, near to Leek, Stafford¬ 
shire. At Torkington, near Stockport, it has been noticed ; 
also at Beswick Lodge, and at Patricroft, near Manchester, 
In the coal field of Pennsylvania, U.S.A., haematite sometimes 
occurs interstratified with coal shales, &c. 
Haematite and limonite almost always occur either in 
pocketty masses, generally in limestone (as in the Furness 
and Whitehaven districts, in Glamorganshire, Monmouthshire, 
Gloucestershire, &c.; in Sweden, at Dannemora; Bilbao, in 
Spain ; Hartz, &c.), or in veins, as at Brendon, Somerset, in 
Cumberland, and elsewhere. 
Why, therefore, may not our fragments and pebbles have 
had a like origin ? Perhaps the presence of the fossils will 
be said to preclude the possibility of such an origin, as they 
are seldom found in masses of metallic minerals of this kind. 
Instances, however, are known of veins and pockets of metallic 
ore occurring in coal strata. How then are we to try to 
account for this seeming anomaly ? I have suggested the 
following theory as a possible explanation of the origin of the 
stones in question. I admit that it does not in all points 
satisfactorily accord with all the observed facts. There is 
good reason to believe f that during the coal period certain 
tracts of land stood out high and dry above the general level 
of the then vast swamps, or forests, or coal-growing regions, 
now transformed into the British Isles and seas. Let us 
suppose that there existed at that time in the cliffs or sloping 
shores of this elevated tract, probably not very far removed 
from what is now the centre of England, natural open fissures 
or cavernous places, not dissimilar to those which we have 
upon our present-day shores, &c., the floors or wide cracks of 
which were just about on a level with the waters of the said 
coal-forming estuary or expanses. Conditions would thus be 
favourable for the leaves, twigs, and other parts of the then 
green things upon the earth obtaining access to such secluded 
spots, being brought thither by either wind or water. The 
fauna, too (mollusca, Crustacea, worms, Ac.), became dwellers 
in or visitors to these places. And let it be also supposed 
* See Geological Survey Memoir or Quarter Sheet 82 N.E. p. 5. 
f Quart. Jour. Geol. Soc., Yol. XII., p. 53. 
