The Ecology of the Westphalian and the Lower Part of the Staffordian Series of Clydach Vale and Gilfach Goch (East Glamorgan)

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Abstract
The evidence collected for this paper was obtained from the shales overlying the different seams of coal worked at Clydach Vale and Gilfach Goch. As a result of 25 years' close examination of the plant-remains in an extensive collection of fossils from the shales in the Westphalian and the lower portion of the Staffordian Series (commonly known in South Wales as the ‘Lower Coal Measures’), it was decided to compile a strict record of their distribution. The extent of roadways open for examination amounted to 60 miles at Clydach Vale, and 20 miles at Gilfach Goch, and these roadways gave access to the nine different seams of coal. The evidence for the tenth horizon was collected from the spoils brought out of the Abergorky Colliery, Blaenclydach. The shales overlying the several seams of coal were closely examined in situ for all the evidence that they might contain, and they were afterwards sent to the surface for a further and closer examination. Here each slab of shale was split into small fragments, in order to obtain an exact record of the number of plants in each block. A considerable variation in this number was observed. Specimens of the plants were set apart to form a separate collection relative to each horizon. In this manner, 2500 specimens were brought together, representing 45,000 plants which had been recorded in the field for ecological purposes. Prior to the method of investigation just described, 1500 specimens of plants possessing some real value were brought home

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