elviii Proceedings of the Asiatic Soc. of Bengal. [N.S., XVU, 
reous algae (Pirsson and Schuchert 1920) and not the remains 
of animals, as the name would lead one tosuppose. As regards 
the Indian specimens, before a thorough examination is made 
it would be rash to deny their vegetable nature, but the few 
specimens that I have seen superficially thro ugh the courtesy 
of Prof. H. (. Das-Gupta, do not appear to be convin- 
ein 
3 Although supposed ote or plants have been discovered 
wiidboan. in India in rocks of Vindhyan age, a care- 
ful ik iotiralion has always led to their rejec- 
tion as evidence of seguabis life (Vredenburg 1908). These so- 
called ‘‘fucoid’’ markings show only a treacherous resemblance 
to certain Thallophytic plants, and are in reality probably the 
tracks of some obscure aquatic animals. 
Il. Silurian. 
About sixteen years ago Hayden dis- 
covered some fossils, reared by him as 
plant-remains, in the ebiea beds of the Silurian system of 
Spiti (Hayden 1904, pp. 24, 32), but unfortunately they are so 
badly preserved that their botanical value is very doubtful. 
Silurian of Spiti. 
Il. Carboniferous. 
The earliest Indian fossil plants which it is possible to 
identify with any approach to accuracy were 
also discovered by Dr. Hayden in Spiti 
ein 1904, p. 47). They were collected near the village of 
which is situated on the Spiti River, a large tributary of 
the Upper Sutluj. au fossils, however, ote only fragments of 
sterile leaves. They were examined by the late Prof. Zeiller 
who, while hesitating td identify them "athaalty. compared 
them ee some fern-like plants from the Culm of Australia and 
Europe.! 
Po Series of Spiti. 
seed-bearing plants. The meagre evidence afforded by these 
fragments did not throw much light upon the exact age of the 
rocks i in which they were discovered, but the more recent work 
of Middlemiss tends to show that the rocks are of Middle Car- 
boniferous age (Middlemiss 1910, p. 223 ; Hayden 1910, p. 261). 
| (a.) Rhacopteris ovata McCoy=R. inaequilatera O. Feist. a 
Goe aes ) from the Culm of Smith’s Creek, Port Stephens, and Arow 
Sphenopteridium Metisse Ludwig (sp.) from the Culm or 
becinan of Hesse-Na 
nD hoaly Sphenopterts pee Ludw. from the Culm or Devonian of Hesse- 
