1881.] fossils of (he Indian G on <1 tea na si/stem. 219 



The former are represented by interesting fishes and Rcptilia which 

 show various ranges, when compared with European relations. 



The marine animals are on the whole Jurassic, rejn'esenting various 

 groups, up to uppermost Jurassic. 



With these few remarks I conclude my sketch of the Gondwana 

 fossils ; my object will have been gained if 1 succeed in drawing general 

 attention to these interesting remains but more especially that of those 

 who are in charge of collieries or quarries and so induce them to be 

 careful in looking out for specimens. I also desire to show to the scientific 

 world, particularly of Europe, how much has already been accomplished, 

 by the small body of officers employed in these areas, who have many a 

 time to carry on their work under most unfavourable circumstances. 



XIII. — Additional note on the identification of the ancient diamond mines 

 visited by Tavernier. — By V. Ball, M. A., F. G. S. 



[Received July 2nd ; Read July 6th, 1881.] 



I return to this subject as since my last paper was published I 

 have obtained some additional information on the subject, part of which is 

 the direct result of the publication of that paper, and the remainder is 

 in further illustration of the views put forward in it. 



Raolconda. — By applying what seemed to be a legitimate arithmetical 

 test to the figures given by Tavernier as indices of the position of this 

 place, the conclusion was arrived at that it was to be identified with 

 Rawduconda on the Tungabhadra river. The chief objection to this view 

 was that we had no independent knowledge whatever of there ever having 

 been diamond mines there, but since, as a matter of fact, nothing was known 

 of the Geology, it seemed possible that diamond bearing rocks might occur 

 there. As an alternative the only other place I could suggest was 

 Ramulkota, to which indeed some of Tavernier's stages pointed, but, on 

 the system of calculation adopted, this locality did not seem to fit so well. 

 I did not venture to write on this subject without doing my best to obtain 

 local information, but as it did not come, or rather as that which was received 

 was more of the nature of speculation than actual fact, my paper was 

 printed, and it has had the advantage of leading to the final settlement of 

 the one doubtful point, namely, the position of Raolconda. As will 

 presently be shown by a quotation from Rennell, which was not included 

 in my last paper, this question was discussed and, as we now know, 

 wrongly decided about 100 years ago. 



I must here first record my thanks to Mr. Maurice, H. Wilkinson, 

 Secretary to the Nizam in the Public Works Department, for having done 



