516 Prof. V. Ball — Precious Stones and Metals in India. 



The spores in the coal from both countries were closely allied. 

 Some microspores from Alabama were identical with those which 

 occur in the lower bed of the Welsh ' four feet ' seam. A feature in 

 spores obtained from all the coals was the triradiate markings which 

 they exhibited. Whether this was to be regarded as superficial or 

 not, it was very characteristic of them, and was, therefore, to be 

 considered in attempting to ally them with modern vegetation. 



The author regarded peat in the light of Post-Tertiary coal ; lignite 

 as peat in a transition state to coal ; and coal as the remains of Car- 

 boniferous bogs. 



The author referred to the practical application of a knowledge of 

 the microscopic structure of coal, as enabling an expert to judge of 

 the nature of a coal from an examination of it with a pocket lens. 



16. — On the Mode of Occurrence of Precious Stones and 



Metals in India. 



By V. Ball, M.A., F.E.S. 



FOE full 3000 years India has been known as the source of 

 precious stones and metals, but scarcely 200 years have elapsed 

 since other countries yielding precious stones have entered into com- 

 petition with her ; and it is only within the present century that she 

 has ceased to hold a pre-eminent position as a supplier of the markets 

 of the world. 



In order to arrive at a full and satisfactory elucidation of this 

 subject, two branches of inquiry must be undertaken, one based upon 

 what has been actually ascertained by careful geological exploration 

 of the country, and the other upon such historical records as are 

 available of the former production of the minerals in question, and 

 of the indications of the sites where they were mined. 



By means of our present knowledge of the geology, it has become 

 possible to give definite form to many vague statements by early 

 writers, and to recognize the actual positions of mines which are 

 now, by the people of the localities themselves, forgotten and 

 deserted. In the majority of these cases, had the geologist not got 

 the historical hand to guide him, he would be unwilling to predicate 

 the presence of such minerals from mere superficial examination. 



As a collateral result, many of the widespread myths and fables 

 connected with mining have proved to have originated in peculiar 

 local customs. They rest, therefore, on more substantial bases of 

 facts than could have been suspected by any one unacquainted with 

 these customs. 



This method of combining the results of geological research with 

 historical records the author has found on previous occasions to have 

 the advantage of bringing the geologist into touch with the rest of 

 humanity, arranging as it does the interest of historians, linguists, 

 and others, who find in the facts so presented to them pabulum 

 applicable to the requirements of their own particular pursuits. 



In this paper it will not be necessary or suitable to enter at length 

 into details — the author having done so elsewhere.' His object is 



1 ' Economic Geology of India,' and ' A Geologist's Contribution to the History of 

 India,' Proc. Eoy. Dub. Soc. 1883. 



