380 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY, 1890. 



the corners may be placed roughly at the Malsej and Fitzgerald 

 ghats, and the mouths of the Savitri and Waitarna. Future survey, 

 or correspondence from gentlemen who know more than I of 

 the neighbouring districts, may perhaps extend these limits; but, as 

 far as I can find out at present, they are pretty nearly those of the 

 great break-off. 



The main external interest of the whole subject is that the exist- 

 ence of modern Bombay is due to this forgotten subsidence of the 

 basalt floor of the land. "Without it, indeed, there would doubtless 

 have been ports here, as there were in different ages on other parts 

 of the coast. But for the growth of modern Bombay were wanted an 

 islet and a harbour, where the infant settlement and its weak fleets 

 were secured from Mogul and Maratha armies, and where the great 

 ships of modern commerce can get shelter in deep water at all 

 seasons. 



The subsidence that buried Mr. Ormiscon's Khair forest under 

 what is now the Prince's Dock has resulted, in due course of time, 

 in the growth of its wood of masts and other objects less picturesque. 



I have only to remark, in conclusion, that I do not think it safe 

 to assume that this event was witnessed by any human being. The 

 faet that burnt logs were found in the buried forest is not in itself 

 conclusive. A forest fire might be started by volcanic agency, or 

 by lightning, or, even it is said, by the rubbing together of dead 

 bamboos in the wind. 



Now Khair forests are things well known to us to-day, and we 

 know that a fire will pass through them, consuming the dry grass 

 and scanty fallen leaves, and igniting dry fallen trees, without 

 seriously injuring those still " a-growing and a-blowing." Such 

 fallen trees once alight will continue to smoulder, until the fire is 

 extinguished by a shower, or even by a heavy dew. 



WOUNDED BEAR CHARGING UP A TREE. 

 By J. D. Inverarity. 



It is well known that bears are good climbers, and that they are 

 in the habit of ascending trees after bees' nests and jungle fruits. 



