LIMESTONE QUARRIES,

IN THE IMMEDIATE NEIGHBOURHOOD OF DUDLEY CASTLE.

If, in exploring those depths where lie deposited the treasures of Coal and Iron, we cannot solve the mysteries of Nature, or discover a termination of the effects of HIS Power, "who taketh up the isles as a very little thing, and holdeth the sea in the hollow of his hand."-the mind has wide scope for investigation and wonder amidst rocky substances of a different kind, generally, if not always found at no great distance from the former minerals. These substances, consisting chiefly of testaceous, and other marine bodies, in a petrified state, blended with argillaceous matter, constitute that peculiar species of rock, so essential to the pursuits of the Architect, the Agriculturalist, and the Iron Master, denominated Limestone. This presents to the view of the Geologist Forms no less interesting than what are discernible in the deeper regions of Coal, &c. which were lately contemplated. In traversing the stupendous Excavations which human Industry has made, near Dudley Castle, in rocks of this description, are discovered the remains of what, thousands of years ago, were beings endowed with life and sensation; creatures, that moved on the bottom of the great Deep, or sported on the surface of the wave; that spread their tentacula to catch their prey, or burrowed in the slime to avoid a rapacious foe. But now, life and sensation gone,

as if embalmed by the hand of nature herself, they retain their original shape and configuration, having acquired a substance as solid and as imperishable as the rock with which they are blended, Among these Memorials of other times, the Pediculus marinus trilobos holds a distinguished place. It is one of those genera which are supposed to be extinct, not being found alive in any part of the world; and, in its petrified form, only found here. Formerly, when the limestone was raised by what is termed "open work," this singular fossil was so frequently discovered that the finest specimens of it were purchased for a trifle: whereas now when the stone is got from much deeper measures, and immediately carried to neighbouring kilns for calcination, the fossil is so seldom found, that a good specimen is worth more than its weight in silver. Some have supposed that it is found only near the surface: but this supposition is erroneous: for though it is more frequently met with in the upper beds, specimens have been picked up by the workmen, under the Wren's-nest Hill, the depth of 180 feet. From its locality being confined to this neighbourhood, it is generally distinguished by the name of the Dudley fossil; or the fanciful one, of the Dudley Locust. The annexed Print represents a limestone block, in the author's possession; in which are two perfect Pediculi, and the faces of two others. The specimen is a very rare one; which, in his drawing, he has endeavoured to copy faithfully. The animal is generally found in a solitary and detached

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state, frequently convolved or rolled up,-the head and tail meeting: the size varies, in different specimens, from 4 inches in length, by 2 and a half in breadth to the smallness of a pea. In some, the eye is reticulated, and projecting: in others, which have no visible retina in the eye, there is an elliptical notch through the pupil. Da Costa calls it Pediculus marinus,-Herman Pectunculites trilobos imbrecatus,-Linnæus Entomolithes paradoxus,-Baume Trigonella striata. What are termed synonymes of this animal, found here, and a few other places, are essentially different from it. The other drawing in the Plate is also a faithful delineation of various fossil substances; among which some beautiful Pectines, distinctly striated, will attract notice. The rocks also abound with fine specimens of the Encrinus, or Stone Lily,-a singular link, apparently uniting the animal and vegetable kingdoms. Parkinson, for the sake of being explicit and defined, classes it in the former. It is seldom found entire; but most frequently having the stem broken. The following likewise are abundant: Tubipora Catenulata, Chain Coral, -Madrepores, in most of their varieties, especially the turbinated species; Madrepore Truncata, the ramose or branchy Alcyonite,-the fungiform ditto-Madrepora Stellaris, commonly called the Star-stone; Columnar Star-Stones; Madrepora Ananas; Millepores; Nautili; Cornua Amonis; Bivalves; Coral Branches, &c.

These things delight the eye of even the most unlettered beholder; who, satisfied with his li

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