168 O. Feistmantel — A slcetch of the history of the [No. 3, 



XII. — A slcetch of the history of the fossils of the Indian Gondwana 

 system. — By Ottokab Feistmantel, M. D., Palaeontologist , 

 Geological Survey of India. 



[Received 24th June ; Read 6th July, 1881.] 



In a late number of this Journal* Mr. Lydekker published a sketch 

 of the history of the fossil Vertebrata of India, and it is my intention now 

 to give a similar sketch of the fossils of the Gondwana system, for 

 the same reasons as those which Mr. Lydekker indicated in the beginning of 

 his paper. 



Before proceeding to discuss the details it will be necessary to make a 

 few general remarks upon the Gondwana system, its importance, extent 

 and classification. By the name Gondwana system the Geological Survey 

 now designates what was formerly known as the Plant-bearing series. 



The title was proposed by Mr. H. B. Medlicott, about 9 years ago 

 (1872), but was not then admitted into publicity though more or less cur- 

 rent on the Survey ; since 1876 it has come into general use in print also.f 



This system of sedimentary rocks is the most important in the 

 peninsula, for two reasons, first because it is prominently fossiliferous and 

 secondly because it includes the rich coal deposits for which India is so 

 famous. 



As regards the distribution of these rocks, I refer to my paper in the 

 Eecords of the Geological Survey of India, just quoted, as well as to the 

 Manual of the Geology of India, 1879 (Vol. 1, and map), from which the 

 following may be extracted : % 



From Baniganj§ these deposits stretch in detached basins up the 

 Damuda valley, || into the highlands of Chutia Nagpur.^[ To the north 

 of this area smaller patches also occur, as especially the Rajmahal area,** 

 the Deogarh coalfieldsff and the Karharbari coalfield. % J 



* J. A. S. B., Vol. XLIX, Pt. II, 1880. 



f Feistmantel : Notes on the age of some fossil Floras in India ; R. G. S. Ind. 

 Vol. IX, p. 28, 1886. 



% I refer here to the distribution, because when quoting the fossils I shall have 

 ample opportunity to mention the various deposits. 



§ This shall be hereafter always mentioned as Raniganj coalfield. 



I| Here we have in a consecutive order from E. to W. the Jharia coalfield, the 

 Bokharo and Ramgurh and the Karanpura coalfields. 



U Of these I shall have opportunity to mention the Aurunga coalfield (Palamow) 



** Rajmahal hills. 



ft Or Kuraun coalfield near Khurmatar, E. I. R. 



%X In Hazaribagh district, near Giridhi station. 



