On the Occurence of Fossil Insects in the Wealden Strata of the Sussex Coast

Abstract

T he specimens which we have the honour to present to the Geological Society are, we believe, the first remains of Insects from the Wealden of Hastings which have been brought before the notice of the Society; the details we have been able to collect respecting the position and character of the beds containing them may, therefore, Cliffs, including many localities where the insect-beds occur, will be found in the ‘Geological Transactions,’ 2nd ser. vol. ii. Part 1. pl. 5, appended to Professor Webster's memoir “On the Strata near Hastings” (p. 31, &c. of the same vol.), to which we shall frequently refer, as well as to Dr. Fitton's memoir “On the Strata below the Chalk,” Geol. Trans. 2nd ser. vol. iv. Part 2. The lowest beds in which we obtained traces of Insect-remains are the courses of ironstone (Webster, loe. tit. p. 34,—No. 1 of our General Section, infra , p. 175) exposed, near low-water mark, at the Govers (or Covehurst), Ecelesbourne, East Cliff, and Bulverhythe (near the place where Tower No. 42 formerly stood); and which cover a bed of light blue clay, darker downwards, with red stains. The lower courses are very carbonaceous, as described by Webster, but the two highest are much less so, afford fewer traces of Plants, are very compact, and exhibit the peculiar mineral structure shown by the specimens* No. 40 and No. 90 : the highest bed is conspicuous on the shore from its smooth pavement-like appearance, with the surface traversed by numerous vertical