On some Fossil Plants from the Lower Lias

Abstract

T owards the base of the limestone beds, forming the lower division of the lias formation in its extension through the counties of Gloucester, Worcester, and Warwick, and probably even contemporaneous with the liassic deposit in these counties, is found a hand of limestone of a much purer and harder quality than those with which it is associated. This hand of stone is known amongst the quarrymen by the name of “best paving slab,” and is much used throughout the Midland Counties for flooring of barns and farmhouse kitchens; but from its having yielded to the researches of the Rev. P. B. Brodie a beautiful series of insect remains, it is recognized by geologists under the name of “Insect limestone.” The insect remains here referred to have been well figured and described by their discoverer*; and in a résumé of the general characters of these, appended by the excellent entomologist Mr. Westwood, will be found the following observation: “The lias insects resemble forms of ordinary occurrence and of temperate climes, more like North America than Europe†.” Now, as these insects are associated with remains of plants, it cannot be otherwise than interesting to inquire whether the facts as noticed by the entomologist are in accordance with the observations of the botanist, as conclusions supported by the evidence of two distinct sciences must have more weight than when these are conflicting. The object of this paper, therefore, is to describe the vegetable remains associated with insects in the lower lias, and to