Chap. L] history of geology. 13 



those at Narrainkuri and Raniganj. Mr. Williams mentions the dis- 

 covery of a fossil plant, which he considered a Sigillaria, but it was 

 much decayed, and it is probable that he was deceived by an accidental 

 resemblance. Several pages are here devoted to the refutation of an 

 absurd statement of the Damuda Committee, to the effect that the 

 seams at Rogonathchuk and Khantagoriah (Bhangaband) were proved 

 to be identical by the similarity of the associated fossils. This 

 Mr. Williams disproves : 1st, by showing that the same fossils may be 

 associated with all the coal seams in a formation ; 2nd, by the dissimi- 

 larity of the sections of the two coal seams. 



In reference to this question, there occurs the only remark in the 

 Report, in which the fossil plants, so abundant in the coal series, are 

 referred to in general terms — it is as follows : — 



" The fossil impressions found associated with the coal measures of 

 " the Damoodah Valley have been carefully examined and compared 

 " with those discovered in the English coal districts, and are found 

 " to have no resemblance whatever to them, the most characteristic 

 e< species are Trizygia speciosa, Vertebraria indica, Vertebraria radiata, 

 (l (plants of a doubtful affinity,) Glossopteris angustifolia, Glossopteris 

 11 Brotvniana, Pustularia Calderiana, and Pecopteris Lindleyana ; there 

 " are also several impressions of leaves, reeds, and others of the cyca- 

 ec deous family. Plants of the above genera have never yet been 

 (e discovered in the coal fields of Europe, but this Flora approximates 

 " nearer to the Coal Flora of Australia, where similar cycadese, several 

 " species of Glossopteris, and Vertebraria, have been discovered. It 

 " may be interesting further to state that Glossopteris is a genus 

 " common to the oolitic series of England." 



To criticise this passage at length is unnecessary, and would require 

 too much space : the subject has already been treated sufficiently by 

 Dr. Oldham.* 



* Mem. Geol. Surv. of India, Vol. II., pages 299 et seq. 



