where I might be able to make further reference to other works for information*, I am induced to apply to you, from knowing your readiness to give me the requisite correction, if I am wrong in supposing it to be a new discovery, and your equal readiness to give publicity to my communication, if the discovery be novel.

Having disposed of this part of the subject, perhaps you will allow me to make a few observations on some peculiarities

*Some institutions will not permit a stranger to have access to their libraries; they will merely allow him to see their curiosities. This is the case with the Bristol Philosophical Institution; and I must confess, that, however much I have enjoyed an hour's lounge through their rooms, I have never entered the building without yearning for half an hour's inspection of some works in their library, to which I wished to refer.

in the present specimen. In the lily encrinite, as figured by Parkinson (fig. 15.), the vertebral column is of the same

bulk throughout, without any alteration in its size as it approaches the point of attachment to the pelvis; but in the pear encrinite (figs. 16 and 17.), the vertebræ are seen gra

dually increasing in diameter, until they are finally attached to the bones of the pelvis. In these specimens, however (as figured by Parkinson, and in several specimens in my own

possession, from the oolite), the division of the vertebral column into separate joints is distinctly visible, and each joint presents a uniformity of structure. *

I now beg to direct your attention to the accompanying sketch. The vertebral column, detached from the body of the animal, presents no unusual appearance. The bones of the pelvis, the scapula, the clavicle, the arms, and the fingers, present a uniformly solid and compact bony appearance: but, from the pelvis to the termination of the fossil, there is a gradually diminishing process, without any appearance of joint, and which presents a lamellar structure, quite different from the other parts. This difference of structure I have endeavoured to exhibit in the drawing. This portion of the animal appears as if formed of thin plates passing over each other, like scales on a fish, and which has suggested in my mind the idea that this portion was elastic. The tentacula are not visible in any connected form, but are thickly scattered over the stone.

The specimen has been somewhat injured in its transit; but, when we consider that the block from which it was hewn was first of all transported from the quarry to Cork, then thrust into the hold of a vessel as ballast, and lastly discharged (roughly enough, you may imagine) as useless lumber in the port of Newport, I am perfectly astonished that so fragile a body should have escaped so well; and, if I am right in supposing it to be the first discovered specimen of the lily encrinite in the British strata, I shall reckon myself singularly fortunate in having obtained possession of it. I am, Sir, yours, &c. Pontnewydd Works, near Newport, Monmouthshire, Oct. 18. 1832.

C. CONWAY.

AN able geologist, to whose consideration we submitted Mr. Conway's communication, knows of no previous instance of the occurrence of the lily encrinite in the strata of Britain, nor does another geologist of eminence to whom we mentioned the fact. He consequently deems Mr. Conway's discovery of great interest to geologists, but earnestly advises us to procure a specimen of the "limestone." We have accordingly applied to Mr. Conway for one. — Cond.

*Fig.16. may appear, perhaps, to tell rather against the distinction I am endeavouring to point out. Parkinson says, "The granulated appearance at the inferior part of this specimen proceeds from the attachment of some coralloid body, which has become petrified with the encrinus." In my specimen there is no appearance of any extraneous body attached to it.

ART. VIII. A Notice of the Fossils met with in a short Tour in Derbyshire. By H. H. G.

By reading, in p. 51., “Brief Notices of Plants during a Tour through North Wales," I was reminded of my own short tour into Derbyshire, in the autumn of last year; during which, I was amused, and much gratified, with the opportunity of collecting many good, and some rare, fossils; and, perhaps, the notice of the localities may be useful to some of your readers who love the same pursuit; and also stimulate them to give, through the medium of your entertaining publication, similar information, in order to assist the geologist in his researches after the hidden treasures of former ages.

My first operations were commenced at Matlock, where, directly opposite to the High Tor, I found a small quantity of limestone recently quarried, and rich in organic remains; principally consisting of Prodúctæ, with a few Terebrátulæ ; and, within a few yards, a lead mine, recently reopened, from which I obtained varieties of madreporal limestone, fluor spar, lead ore, &c. A little farther north, and on crossing the ferry, I met with another small quarry, called the Pig's Eye. This is but little worked, yet the scattered fragments yielded an abundant variety of Productæ, some Spiriferæ, Terebrátulæ, E'ntrochi (oval); and, much to my surprise and satisfaction, a small tuberculated trilobite, differing from any I have seen figured, but resembling in shape that figured in this Magazine, Vol. III. p. 287. fig. 79. a. Farther on, through the village of Matlock, and after passing the church, the road had been recently altered, in doing which a stratum of limestone was cut through, yielding, in a small space, many specimens of Productæ and E'ntrochi, with a few Spiríferæ and Terebrátulæ. In these three spots I collected nine varieties of Productæ, some of which, separated from the matrix, had the appearance of complete bivalves; but, at the same time, leaving a large portion of the mantle on the stone, with a fine impression of the flat valve. Workmen, and others, who preserve fossils, to make a trifle by them, are too apt to be contented with the two valves, as separated from the matrix; and this seems to account for so many defective specimens of this genus being found in collections. The sizes of the Productæ, at the Pig's Eye quarry, varied from half an inch to 7 in. in breadth.

There is a limestone quarry at Cromford; but few fossils are met with there, and chiefly Cyathophyllæ, with occasionally a Spírifer, a Terebrátula, a Nautilus, and a few Entrochi. Upon the higher ground, at Middleton, are to be found,

amongst the debris of the leadworks, the screwstone, with Spiríferæ in chert, the latter fossil sometimes showing the internal spiral process; although I was not so fortunate as to meet with such a specimen: also, Prodúctæ, E'ntrochi, Madréporæ, Calamóporæ, Cyathophýllæ, lead ore, calamine, &c.

In the adjoining parish of Wirksworth are found some of the finest madreporal and encrinal limestones, and of the greatest variety, which are much used at Matlock, for polishing, and cutting into a great many beautiful ornaments. The quarries also abound with E'ntrochi, Productæ, Spiríferæ, Cyathophyllæ, &c., detached from the limestone. Here I met with three specimens of an unfigured Prodúcta. Charles Hurt, Esq., of Wirksworth, has a good, although not an extensive, collection of fossils. This gentleman very politely showed me all his rarities, among which are many of the neighbourhood, including several fine specimens of Spírifer, with the internal spiral process well developed; also the Dudley fossil (trilobite) in great perfection, &c. &c.

From Matlock, I paid a visit to a quarry, at Darley Bridge. This abounds with E'ntrochi and Productæ, and contains, also, some Spiríferæ. There I collected five species of Productæ ; also a single joint of a Pentacrinites, differing from any figured by either Parkinson or Goldfuss; and I would recommend this quarry to the attention of collectors. I also paid a visit to Mr. White Watson, at Bakewell, formerly much known as the coadjutor of Martin, and who still retains many specimens, from which Martin's figures were taken. Mr. Watson's collection is not extensive, but he has some rare Derbyshire fossils. I presented him with a small collection, from the more southern part of England; and he favoured me, in return, with a lump of chert, containing two Spiríferæ, with the spiral processes visible; and also, amongst other fossils, with a few specimens of Prodúcta hórrida, from Bolsover, in one of which the hinge is displayed. Chert is now being quarried at Bakewell for the Staffordshire potteries. The limestone, near Buxton, is extensively worked, but is so compact, that few of numerous fossils can be detached; they are chiefly Madréporæ, E'ntrochi, and a few Productæ.

At Castleton, my time was too limited for personal research ; I therefore contented myself with making collections in the shops, two of which contained many interesting specimens. The keeper of the one next to the church is an intelligent man; he knows the localities well, and I would recommend collectors to apply to him for information, in order to save time.

London, Jan. 14. 1833.