On the Occurrence of Shells in the Yorkshire Coal Field

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Mr. Hartop alluded to some very interesting specimens of shells which had been found in the Yorkshire coal field. He thought he could show that some of the organic remains in the ironstone field had been suddenly fixed in the ironstone strata in which they were found, the muscles therein all being in a feeding position, while in another seam of ironstone, about 100 yards deeper, an immense number of muscles were found with every appearance of having been floated into that position when dead. There were specimens from other strata where large fishes were found in the act of eating smaller ones. If they got hold of fresh water muscles alive, it would be generally found that they were upon their edge. He now produced a specimen of muscles feeding, the appearance of which seemed to confirm the truth of the observation he had made. The Chairman thought the specimens looked very much like as if the muscles had been fed upon by other fish. The morning meeting then broke up. At the evening meeting Mr. Holmes, of Leeds, exhibited and explained a Safety Lamp, in which he had introduced a modification of the principle of Upton and Roberts’ lamp, without being aware of what had been previously effected by other parties. Mr. Holmes’s plan was, however, an improvement, inasmuch as it contained an apparatus for regulating the admission of air. The thanks of the Society were voted to Mr. Holmes for his communication, and he was earnestly recommended ...