The Lamellibranch Zones of the South Staffordshire Coalfield

Abstract

Scarcely any information has been published regarding the palaeontological sequence in the Coal Measures of South Staffordshire. Some marine bands have been recorded (summarized in Whitehead, 1927, p. 31) and there are isolated records of non-marine lamellibranchs, including a number which were figured by Wheelton Hind (1894–6). Practically nothing is known, however, concerning the zonal succession of either the shells or plants in that area. Recently, through the kindness of Dr. C. J. Stubblefield, the writer has had an opportunity to study a small collection of shells obtained in South Staffordshire by the late H. W. Hughes and now in the Museum of the Geological Survey. The specimens have been collected from known horizons and have proved to be sufficient to enable the writer to fix zonal boundaries and thus to make some suggestions regarding the correlation of the marine horizons.