A History of Coldingham Priory

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1836 edition. Excerpt: ...to be considered as the new red sandstone formation. The situation of the new red sandstone, however, is always above the coal; whereas it is now discovered that the rocks in the lower part of Berwickshire lie underneath it, shewing them to be older than even the adjoining coal fields of North Durham and Northumberland, underneath which they appear to dip; and therefore we are bound to come to the conclusion, that as they are evidently not the old red sandstone, so neither can they be considered as the new--but the oldest, the lowest, the first deposited portion of the coal formation. As tending to confirm this opinion, it may be mentioned, that coal has actually been wrought, and even to some extent in several parts of the county, and that the organic remains, especially the vegetable impressions, found in the rocks composing the lower part of the county, are, almost universally, such as characterize the undoubted coal measures in other districts. The remarks now offered, will be perceived to be of a very general nature--perhaps too much so, when it is considered that the work in which they appear undertakes to describe only a limited and particular district. When it is considered, however, how large a portion of the county is included in this district, and when it is stated, moreover, that it is in it that the three great formations already noticed, are both most clearly, and most strikingly displayed to view, the above observations, it is hoped, will not be considered either much misplaced, or altogether destitute of interest. Confining our attention therefore, in our remaining observations, to the district more particularly under consideration, we shall endeavour to point out the way and manner in which the several classes of rocks...