Reoiens —Geology of CJwia. 309 



n. — Contributions to the Gteology of China. 



Journal of the Nobth-China Branch of the Eoyal Asiatic Society. 

 New Series. No. 2. Shanghai, 1866. 8vo. pp. 187. Triibner & Co. London. 



I^HIS Society, under the presidency of Sir Harry S. Parkes, K.C.B. 

 . furnishes, in this number of their journal, some papers on the 

 geology of China, of which the following is a summary : — 



1. — Notes on the Geology of the Great Plain, by Dr. Lamprey, of Her 

 Majesty's 67th Eegiment. 



a. Physical geography of the Plain. — The Grreat Plain occupies a 

 considerable part of the continent of China, including nearly the 

 whole of Pechili, a considerable portion of the west of Shantung, half 

 of Honan and Huquang, and the greater part of Keangnan. In this 

 area are numerous lakes of great size, many rivers, amongst which 

 are the Hoang flo or Yellow river, and the Yangise Keang, and 

 occasionally isolated hills or groups of low mountains. The country 

 around Shanghai is especially characterized by its extreme flatness. 



h. The Yangtse Keang. This river is subject to tidal influence, 

 perceptible as far as Kinhien, about 180 miles distant from its 

 mouth ; " the water is of the same muddy colour as that noticed 

 further down the course of the river, and in addition to carrying a 

 large proportion of this material in a mixed state, the water, when 

 at its highest level moves with such velocity, that it carries with it 

 four feet of the bed of the river in a continuous stream." The num- 

 ber of shoals existing at the mouth of the river render navigation 

 dangerous : they are said to increase at the rate of about one foot in 

 height in 12 or 15 months. 



c. Neighhourhood of Shanghai. — The surface of the soil around 

 Shanghai is but little elevated above the sea-level, and water is gene- 

 rally reached at from four to five feet below the surface ; during wet 

 weather and at spring tides the water in the wells of the city has 

 often been on a level with the surface of the ground, whilst along 

 the sea shore, from Woosung to Hanchow, an earthen mound and at 

 some places stone embankments 20 feet in height, are required to 

 preserve the country from inundation. A portion of the embank- 

 ment has lately given way, and the land is flooded with sea water 

 over an area of 60 square miles. 



d. Fossil shells. — In several places in Pootung specimens of Geri- 

 thium, Buccinum, Cardium, Corbula (?), and most abundantly Grate- 

 loupia irregidaris, are stated to occur. 



Scattered over the soil both in Kiangsu and Pechili, and buried at 

 various depths, are foimd Paludina, Planorbis, TJnio, Anodonta, Gyrena 

 fluminalis, Succinea amphibia, Gerithium cinctum, Helix plebeia, Car- 

 dium, Solen, and Bulla. 



2. — A Sketch of the Geology of part of Quang Tung Protince. By Mr. T. 



W. Kingsmill. 



Mr. Kingsmill goes more deeply into the subject than did the 

 author of the previous paper, •' his aim is to throw into some shape 

 vol. III. — no. sxvi. 24 



