X. The Post-Tertiary Fossiliferous Beds of Scotland. XIII. Kilchattan, Bute. XIV. Tangy, Campbeltown

Abstract

In this series of papers on the Post-Tertiary Deposits, it has been our desire all along to confine our attention to their fossil remains, and to some facts connected with their inorganic contents, avoiding, as far as possible, the introduction of theoretical matter. This will account for our passing over unnoticed many topics of interest with regard to glacial phenomena. The section now under review has been described by several writers, particularly by Mr. Jamieson in his valuable paper “On the Last Geological Changes in Scotland;”* and by Professor Geikie, in his well-known memoir on the “Phenomena of the Glacial Drift of Scotland,” published in the Transactions of this Society.† The deposit lies at the north-west side of Kilchattan Bay, beyond tide-mark, and dips seaward. Taking the beds in descending order, we find, as represented in the annexed cut:— 1. —Peaty mould: about 1 foot. 2. —Gravel: 3 to 5 feet. 3. —Muddy sand: 4 to 6 feet. 4. —Grey laminated clay: 6 to 7 feet. 5. —Reddish boulder clay: depth unknown. Passing over I. and II., it is in the stratum of muddy sand (III.) that the shells occur, and it is to be observed that they are more abundant therein towards the bottom than near the top. The proportion of sand in this layer is too great for tile-making, and it is therefore laid aside. The prevailing shells of this deposit are Tellina calcarea, Axinus flexuosus, Scrobicularia prismatica, Cyprina Islandica, Mya truncata, and Utriculus obtusus . Most of these reach a size rather above This 250-word extract was created in the absence of an abstract