1875.] Suggestions for the Yunan Expedition. 7 



extent of the volcanic region of Momein, or of its having any connection 

 with older eruptive rocks would be of much interest. 



In a brief notice of the Geology of China in the " Zeitschrift der Deut- 

 schen Geologischen Gesellschaft" for Sept. 1873, Herr von Richthofen dwells 

 principally upon the Loss formation, but mentions that gneiss is found every- 

 where to underlie Silurian, Devonian, Carboniferous, and Triassic strata, thus 

 implying the presence of these formations ; he adds that he had found no 

 younger rocks, hence concluding that since the Trias that ground had not 

 been submerged. These observations would seem to be confined to the 

 north of China and to the basin of the Hoang-ho, for in a previously pub- 

 lished paper, in the American Journal, he mentions finding nummulitic lime- 

 stone in force, and full of characteristic fossils, 60 miles to the west of Shan- 

 ghai, resting nearly horizontally upon ancient sandstones of great thickness, 

 having a dip of 20°, and in which plant-remains had been found. 



Von Richthofen' s remarks upon Loss formation suggest further exami- 

 nation. In general characters the deposits he describes resemble the great 

 valley deposits of India that we are disposed to call by the same name ; and 

 he himself compares it to that of the Rhine valley ; yet certain features 

 he mentions of the Loss of the Hoang-ho are peculiar to it as compared 

 with those analogous, at least, with that in India. He describes it as con- 

 taining well preserved landshells and the bones of fossil animals so abund- 

 antly as to be used for manure. This feature may perhaps be connected 

 with, and peculiar to, the mode of formation he suggests for the Loss of 

 that region — from wind-borne materials. He mentions the custom of the 

 people to excavate extensive permanent dwelling places in the steep banks of 

 the deep Loss, which are sometimes from 400 to 500 feet high. The depth 

 of the Loss he estimates at 1500 feet. 



In another paper Von Richthofen notices the region of King-te-chin, 

 of porcelain celebrity, east of the Poyang lake, south of the Yang-tse-kian°\ 

 The eastern slopes and ridges of the mountains are formed of an extensive 

 sandstone formation resting against aud upon porphyries, and on the main 

 ridge capping a great cla} r -slate formation, which he calls the King-te-chin 

 series. These latter are highly compressed, with a steady W. S. W. — E. N. E. 

 strike. It is in regular bands in these slates that the famous kao- 

 lin-rock occurs, the name being that of once famous quarries. It is a hard 

 fine slate, of a green colour, somewhat resembling jade, and when pounded 

 forms a white powder, which is sold in bricks to the porcelain makers. The 

 Chinese still apply this name (Kao-ling, ' high ridge') to the finest quality ; 

 an inferior kind being called Pe-tun-tse (white clay). Near Poyang lake, 

 the King-te-chin slates are overlaid by the coal formation, of paltoozoic age, 

 from which coal is largely extracted for the steamers on the Yang-tse. He 

 identifies the coal approximately with that found in the northern provinces. 



