Fossil Sponge in Chalcedony in a Flint Nodule

This one absolutely took my breath away. There was not much of this visible on the outside - just a fairly ordinary-looking fossil sponge, of the kind I have collected probably too many of from various places. But on using my saw to trim off a kind of plug of sponge, this was revealed and it's safe to say I could hardly believe my eyes. This was found on the beach at Samphire Hoe, near Dover.

See also Flints.

3.8cm