Joseph Beete Jukes

“ Again, the fault running by Oldbury is certainly a large downthrow to the east, and it certainly forms the boundary line between the red rocks and the Coal-measures at the surface, but it can hardly be called the boundary of the coal-field, inasmuch as the coals are got for a mile or more to the east of it, at only a comparatively slight increase of depth. ”

“ The Permian district round the south end of the coal-field is the largest and most important one of the neighbourhood, and worthy of a little more detailed description. When the country was first surveyed, no doubt was entertained that the Clent Hills consisted of trap rock, and that the angular fragments seen at the surface and in the small quarries were the local débris of the solid rock below. Professor Ramsay, who spent a day with me there in 1849, concurred in these views, which are those published by Sir R. Murchison in his "Silurian System." ”

“ I think, see reason to conclude that the east and west boundaries of the coal-field are not only genuine faults, clean-cut fractures, but that they were produced late in the New red sandstone period, if not subsequently to it altogether. ”

“ From Wolverhampton to within a mile and a half of Cannock, Permian rocks are believed to be those found below the surface on the downcast side of the fault; but at Wyrley Bank these rocks seem to be dying out, and beyond that the Brick red sandstone and conglomerate of the New red is alone seen. ”

“ The north and south boundaries are like an indented coast line, the east and west are like artificial roads, going nearly straight across the country, with but little respect to the variations in its surface. ”

“ The Eastern Boundary fault.—At Perry Hill the angular trappean breccia of the Permian rocks is seen in the cutting of the road, the Red rock extending up to the turnpike. Near the Hagge, Round Hill, and "Barn," yellow Coal-measure sandstone may be seen. Just where "ra" of "Brand Hall" is in the map is an old quarry in the calcareous conglomerate, described before as occurring in the Permian rocks. This band of calcarcous conglomerate can be traced thence to Barnford Hill, where it is much farther from the fault than it was at Brand Hall. ”

“ A dip of 10° would be sufficient for the purpose. If there be no fault, the Permian red rock must come in either by simple capping of the Coal-measures, or it may have been originally deposited in a sudden hollow of erosion existing formerly in the Coal-measures of that locality. East of Lyndon and north of the "red rock" the Thick coal is said to end at a depth of 200 yards (600 feet) against-a mass of "rock and rig." ”

“ It is possible that the branch on the western side, which we may call the Old Mitre fault, which is known to have a downthrow of 65 yards to the west thereabouts, runs on to the south till it is cut off either by the New Invention fault, or even till it reaches the extension of the Great Bentley fault. ”

“ Instead of being irregularly and deeply indented, and conforming to the natural surface of the ground, advancing or receding with its hills and valleys, the cast and west boundaries are regular and equable, preserving a certain mean course with great persistency, and when curving, doing so gradually, and with a wide and steady sweep, forming a curve of large radius. ”

“ Between these places the red marls are underlaid by a white sandstone exactly similar to that under the marls near Albrighton and about Codsall, Brewood, Penkridge, and Rugeley. Plants were found in it by Professor Ramsay near Bellbroughton similar to those described by Sir R. I. Murchison and Mr. ”