On the relation of the New Red Sandstone to the Carboniferous Strata in Lancashire and Cheshire.

Abstract

Latterly much attention has been devoted by English geologists in endeavouring to trace the upper boundary of the carboniferous strata, and to show the connexion of the latter with the beds of the overlying new red sandstone formation. This subject, although it has often been treated upon, still possesses great interest, as by it alone can we obtain certain information with regard to the probable extent of our valuable coal-fields, all of which, on their dip, disappear under the new red sandstone. At the Manchester meeting I had the pleasure of showing to some of the members of the British Association an excavation exhibiting the lower new red sandstone in contact with the coal-measures. In the present paper it is my intention to describe all the similar sections that I have met with in the counties of Lancaster and Chester. Before doing this, however, it will be desirable to give a general sketch of both the new red sandstone and carboniferous groups on the west of the penine chain. The new red sandstone formation occupies nearly the whole of the county of Chester, and a considerable portion of Lancashire. It may be conveniently divided into—The deposits marked a and b , so far as they are yet known, have been found too be conformable to each other, but there is reason for believing that the latter deposit is not always conformable to the underlying waterstones. The last-named beds also are conformable to the upper new red sandstone, can be seen at