The Sun.
London, England, 1841-09-01 00:00:00

INTERESTING GEOLOGICAL

DISCOVERY.

Our readers are no doubt aware, that during the last
two years, the quarries of Stourton Hill, on the Cheshire
side of the river, have become the subject of much geolo-
gical interest, not only to our local geologists, but also
to the members of the London Geological Society, several
of the most eminent having recently visited the locality.
This has arisen from the discovery, made by our towns-
man Mr. Cunningham, of the footsteps of a large animal,
which must have had its existence in Some former state
of our planet. At first these remains were termed "foot-
steps of the Chierotherium," from the supposition, hastily
arrived at, that they belonged to an extinct specks of
the marsupalian genus. The subsequent discovery of
some bones and teeth, found in another portion of a
similar formation, has, however, enabled Professor Owen
satisfactorily to determine the genus of animals whose
footsteps are here so prominently imprinted on laren
masses of the sandstone. The Professor has shown tat
these gigantic animals must have belonged to the genus
batrachian, or frogs ; and from the peculiar construction
of the tooth, has termed the animal the " Labyrinthodouo"
an engraving of which may be seen in one-of the Jae
numbers of the Penny Cysvedia.
A question, however, has since arisen, as to the origin
of the formation itself, whether fresh water or marine, it
being presumed, that if this were once satisfactorily de-
termined, it would go far towards determining the nature
and habits of the animal, whose footsteps have been so
singularly preserved. From time to time, traces of plants
have been found on the sandstone slabs, that have been
successively raised from the quarry, but none of a nature
so decided as .to warrant any conclusion being drawn
from them. This point, we now think, is in a fair way
of being settled in favour of the marine origin of the
rock, as on a recent visit to the quarries, Mr. Cunning,
ham has again discovered the remains, or rather a cast
in sand-stone, of an immense focus ; a plant which it is
well known can only exist at the bottom of the ocean,
thus at once giving a marine character to the whole
formation. The imprint of this plant, which we have
seen, is most unequivocal, and stands out in bold relief
from the surface of the rock. It may be traced through
all its ramifications from the root to the termination.
It is about 25 feet in length, and nine feet in width ; a
portion of which, however, has been removed in cutting
the stone. Cur readers may have an opportunity of
seeing this interesting remain by visiting the quarries,
the rock not being yet removed. It is on the south side,
and just before entering the tunnel.
These discoveries inevitably lead us to the following.
conclusions :—That this portion of the now Hundred of
Wirrall has formerly been the shore of a primeval ocean,
where gigantic animals of the frog or salamander species
have traversed in search of prey, perhaps, as the same
shore must have abounded with smaller animals of the
genus chelonia, or tortoises, sonic of the slabs found
in this quarry being literally covered with foot-prints of
these animals ; but, perhaps more curious still, themarks
of a sharp shower of rain are found imprinted with these
tbotAeps, having been preserved by the soft clay, and are
as sharp and well defined as if it had fallen yesterday.-
-Liverpool Times.

EW OYSTER GROUND.—A New Oyster
ground has been discovered about eleven miles off Dover,
m a lino directly opposite the French coast. The oysters
are smaller than those of Calais, and larger than the
natives ; fhey have a very clear shell, and a most deli-
cious flavour. The Dover boats have been out, and
brought in a large quantity, which are selling at the rate
of thrw.pence • a score.—Dover Chronicle.
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