On Fish Remains in the Yorkshire Coal Field, near Wakefield

Abstract

The disposition of the coal measures is pretty generally known by most persons who have paid any attention to the science of Geology.It will not, therefore, be necessary for me to describe their position or the place they occupy; undoubtedly they are of very ancient origin, being nearly allied to the old red sandstone, amongst which some of the fossils, or rather similar fossils, have been found, which I am about to describe.Hugh Miller is the great authority regarding the old red sandstone deposits; no man laboured here with more assiduity than he, and is is my regret that I have not, as yet, informed myself more as to his labours. His recent posthumous work, the “Testimony of the Eocks,” alludes to some fish remains which Scotland has produced; but Professor Agassiz is still more eminent as it regards this interesting class of fossils.I said interesting, for I had no conception that fish remains could have been rendered so remarkable, and this may be owing to the delicate and soft nature of the mud in which they have been laid. I cannot imagine that my readers should be so captivated with these remains as myself, for there is a peculiar interest felt by all those who conduce to any new discovery; and the more any science is studied the more fascinating it becomes, particularly if we have been led into it by an intimate knowledge of its mysteries from actual observation.