Geological Discovery in Liverpool

Abstract

ALL geologists visiting Liverpool for the approaching Meeting of the British Association for the advancement of Science will be glad to hear of the recent discovery of some new beds in the coal measures near Liverpool, which are exceedingly prolific in fossil remains. The new line of railway between Liverpool and St. Helen's runs at one place not far from Rainhill, through Thatto Heath, where along cutting was rendered necessary. This cutting is through beds all belonging to the carboniferous strata—a thick coal seam, and the accompanying beds of shale and fireclay being all cut through. The fireclay contains abundant remains of all the varied plants of this epoch, with a few marine shells, Anthrocosia in some places. There is a large collection of these fossils now on exhibition in the Derby Museum, collected by the Rev. H. H. Higgins, who has shown great energy in the matter, and who has most generously presented his collection to the museum. This collection well merits the attention of all geologists, especially those interested in fessil botany. The plants found are in the most perfect state of preservation, and they are by no means difficult to meet with. They are chiefly Sigillaria, Calamites, Lepidodendron, Neuropteris Loshii, N. nervosa, and N. gigantea: some of the species, the rarer Asterophyllites and Sphenophyllum, together with many others, being not yet accurately determined. Throughout the clay are found scattered nodules of ironstone, which, on being broken up, are found to contain fossil remains, generally ferns or Equiseta. There have, however, been two exceedingly valuable finds lately made, two fine specimens of the wings of Neuropterous insects having come to light. One of these is in the possession of the Rev. H. H. Higgins; and the other, measuring some 3 to 3½ in. in length, is in the possession of Mr. E. Cleminshaw, of Merton College, Oxford. Both of these will be exhibited at the approaching meeting. They were both found in the ironstone nodules, and are very interesting, as only one other specimen, we believe, is known from the English coal measures. Not far from this cutting is a small coal pit, from which many interesting fossils are to be obtained. These are chiefly fish-remains, teeth, jaws, scales and bones, and a few rare ferns. The ease with which the blocks split into thin laminæ render these fossils easily found, and they are in a good state of preservation.