On the Passage-beds from the Upper Silurian Rocks into the Lower Old Red Sandstone, at Ledbury, Herefordshire

Abstract

T he transition, or passage-rocks, which connect the Upper Silurian deposits with the basement-beds of the Old Red Sandstone epoch, are most interesting to the geologist; and as a very remarkable section of these rocks is now visible on the line of railway near Ledbury, in Herefordshire, a few notes with a sketch and section may be acceptable. In my communication on “The Old Red Sandstone of Herefordshire,” published in the Edinburgh New Philosophical Journal (April 1, 1859, p. 232), I expressed my opinion that the Ludlow sections on the horizon of the passage-beds above the Downton Sandstone are broken by faults, and that the true succession is therefore destroyed. I had come to this determination long before the beds now developed in the railroad-cutting at Ledbury were exposed to view; and, having again lately visited Ludlow, and compared the passage-rocks of that district with those of Ledbury, I am convinced that nowhere perhaps in the world is there such an exhibition of passage-beds presented to the eye of the geologist as at the Ledbury tunnel, on the Worcester and Hereford Railway. Fortunately most of the passage-beds are laid open to the sunlight, and the important points exposed. When engaged upon the section, I was accompanied by my friends Mr. Edmond Richards, and the Messrs. Ballard, the Engineers on the Worcester and Hereford Railway, to whom I return my best thanks for their hearty and efficient cooperation. The strata dip at an angle of 71° north-by-west. The accompanying sketch (see fig.