56 
PERMIAN BRECCIA OF LEICESTERSHIRE. 
Mar., 1892 . 
structed by Mr. Gresley, a copy of which is annexed (Plate 8), 
the materials probably came from the S.W., for the largest 
fragments are found near Linton, and they diminish in size 
from that place in directions ranging from N. by E. to S.E. 
He also notes that the breccia appears to be thickest at 
Linton, thinnest at Swadlincote. 
IX.—Striated Fragments. 
One question is suggested by some of these specimens, 
which, having regard to what has been already written on 
the physical geography of the Permian, is of exceptional 
interest. How were these comparatively large fragments 
transported, and how, seeing that some must have travelled 
for a considerable distance (for their variety justifies that 
inference) have they escaped rolling ? Was ice the agent ? 
As I believe that Mr. Gresley is disposed to answer this ques¬ 
tion in the affirmative, and as striations have already been 
attributed to ice action in the Permian rocks of west-central 
England,* I have examined the striated specimens as carefully 
as possible, with the following results:—(182.) A Hattish, 
rounded pebble, about 7in. x 6in. x 2Jin, of hard quartzose 
sandstone, which has two or three deep broad scores, the 
longest about l^in., on one of the flatter surfaces. While 
they might indicate ice action, I incline, from their general 
appearance and the presence of one or two depressions near 
the narrower edges, to attribute them to the action of other 
rock fragments. (91.) A rather triangular piece of sandstone 
which has, near the crest of its more curved surface, five 
rather short and broad grooves of different length. These 
also seem more likely to be formed as suggested above. (92.) 
Another Hattish piece of sandstone which has grooves on 
both sides ; most of these also are rather broad, two of them 
making an acute angle. On the whole, I attribute these to 
the same cause as the previous examples. (63.) Striations 
on this rock are in two directions, roughly at right angles. 
Some of the narrower at first sight are very like glacial 
striations, but one of them bends at the end like a hook, 
which is peculiar. Also the sides of the fragment, though 
less than one inch broad, are striated to some extent. 
* “ Quart. Journ. Geol. Soc.,” Vol. XI., 1855, pp. 198-205, “ On the 
Occurrence of Angular, Subangular, Polished, and Striated Fragments 
and Boulders in the Permian Breccia of Shropshire, Worcestershire, 
&c.” By A. C. Ramsay. (I have examined the specimens in the 
Museum at Jermyn Street, the markings on which appear to be more 
like those produced by friction from earth-movements than ice- 
striations.) 
