On the banks of the river Bann, in the same county, there is an extensive stratum of a similar earth, and which, from being in much request for polishing plate, is locally known as Lord Roden's plate powder. This earth is wholly made up of the siliceous frustules of many kinds of this tribe of Algæ, and a few grains under the microscope yield a great variety of exquisite forms: figures of several are given in [Lign. 4], from specimens of this earth, with which I was favoured by the Countess of Caledon. They comprise two or three species of Navicula, Galionella, Coscinodiscus, Gomphonema, Bacillaria, Stauroneis, &c., and spicules or spines of fresh-water sponges.[67]
[67] The names of the usual kinds of Diatomaceous frustules may be learnt by reference to Mr. Andrew Pritchard's abstract (with coloured figures) of Ehrenberg's Infusoria. The splendid work of Mr. Ralfs, on the British Desmidieæ, 1 vol. 4to, with coloured plates, is the best guide for those who wish to study the recent plants.
Beds of siliceous marl—that is, of argillaceous earth combined with a large amount of minute particles of silex, all of which prove to be organisms when examined by a high magnifying power,—have been found in numerous places not only in England, but all over the world, since M. Ehrenberg first directed attention to their nature and origin.
Near Bryansford (Newcastle), Binstwick in Holderness, and in the Fens of Lincolnshire and Cambridgeshire, extensive fresh-water microphytal deposits have been discovered and examined.
From our Antipodes I have received many examples of these vegetable earths. My eldest son, Mr. Walter Mantell, discovered an extensive bed of white marl on the banks of the great brackish-water lake of Waihora, in the middle island of New Zealand, consisting entirely of frustules of Bacillariæ. From New Plymouth he obtained some new and exquisite forms of Navicula, Stauroneis, &c.; ranges of low hillocks of sand, of considerable extent, being made up of microphytes (microscopic plants).[68]
[68] See a Memoir on the Geology and Fossil Remains of New Zealand, from the researches of Walter Mantell, Esq.—Geol. Journal, vol. vi. pl. 29.
Mr. Dean, of Clapham Common, informs me that a large quantity of white earth sent from New Zealand as native magnesia, he found to consist wholly of frustules of diatomaceæ, chiefly of Galionellæ. (See [Lign. 5.])
Lign. 5.
Fossil. Galiomellæ; highly magnified.