The Principles of Stratigraphical GeologyMarr, J. E. (John Edward)
Science
The Principles of Stratigraphical Geology
Marr, J. E. (John Edward)
Geology, Stratigraphic
[Footnote 56: The Pembrokeshire area is of interest as the probable
existence of Precambrian rocks in Britain was first indicated on good
evidence in this county. The general structure of the district is
fairly simple, consisting of Cambrian rocks beneath which Precambrian
rocks are exposed in at least two ridges of which the northerly and
more important one runs through St Davids. The rocks of the St Davids
ridge consist of a binary granite (granitoidite), felsites, and
volcanic ashes and breccias of intermediate composition. Much
diversity of opinion has existed, and to some extent still exists as
to questions of detail, and a very extensive literature has been
devoted to these rocks. Amongst the numerous papers which treat of
them, the student may consult the following:--Hicks, H., _Quart.
Journ. Geol. Soc._, vol. XXXIII. p. 229, XXXIV. p. 147, XXXV. p. 285,
XL. p. 507, XLII. p. 351, Geikie, A., _ibid._ vol. XXXIV. p. 261,
Blake, J. F., _ibid._ vol. XL. p. 294, and Morgan, C. Ll., _ibid._
vol. XLVI. p. 241. Much of the matter contained in these papers is
controversial, and need not be fully read by those who merely wish to
obtain a general account of the rocks of the district.]
In Caernarvonshire two ridges are found, the one running from Bangor
to Caernarvon, and the other through Llanberis lake. The rocks of
these are generally similar to those of St Davids, and as the lowest
Cambrian rocks of the area closely resemble those of St Davids, the
Precambrian age of the rocks of these ridges is rendered highly
probable, though until the discovery of the _Olenellus_-fauna in the
area, it cannot be regarded as proved[57].
[Footnote 57: These rocks are described by T. M^{c}K. Hughes, _Quart.
Journ. Geol. Soc._, vol. XXXIV. p. 137, and XXXV. p. 682; by Prof. T.
G. Bonney, _ibid._ vol. XXXIV. p. 144; and by Dr Hicks, _ibid._ vol.
XXXV. p. 295.]
The actual position of the similar rocks of Anglesey has not been so
clearly fixed, as the rocks associated with them are of Ordovician
age, but their resemblance to the rocks of the adjoining regions
renders their Precambrian age highly probable. It is interesting to
find in association with the rocks which resemble those of
Caernarvonshire, others which Sir A. Geikie recognises as quite
similar to some existing amongst the crystalline schists of the
north-west Highlands of Scotland, and when these ancient rocks of
Anglesey have been mapped in detail, they will probably be found to
present greater variety than is afforded by any Precambrian rocks of
Great Britain occurring S. of the Scotch border[58].
[Footnote 58: Papers upon the old rocks of Anglesey will be found in
many volumes of the _Quarterly Journal of the Geological Society_; see
especially Hicks, vol. XXXV. p. 295, Callaway, vol. XXXVI. p. 536,
XXXVII. p. 210, and Blake, XLIV. p. 463.]
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