192 Mr. Bain on the Geology of Southern Africa. 



them appear to be of volcanic origin, the existence of true volcanic rocks being 

 unknown in this country. 



On the Cape Flats, near Tygerberg, I discovered in 1 846 a small bed of white 

 sandstone, resting unconformably on the clayslate, and containing beautiful casts 

 or impressions of what I took to be fucoids. My late talented friend Col. Michell, 

 our former Surveyor-General, kindly took home some specimens, which he pre- 

 sented to the Society in my name. 



The Rev. Dr. Adamson, now in England, informed me last year that he had, 

 some time ago, discovered in the neighbourhood of Wynberg, some stalk-like 

 bodies in a small bed of white sandstone, also resting on the clayslate, perhaps of 

 the same age as the Fucoidal bodies above mentioned. Some specimens which he 

 showed me were very obscure. My present collection contains a specimen of what 

 resembles a Calamite (?), which I got at Buffeljugts River, near Swellendam, also 

 in white sandstone, lying on the clayslate*. 



I ought perhaps also to mention that I have frequently heard of animal remains 

 being discovered in the alluvium, differing from those of existing animals ; and 

 I discovered at Bloemhoff in the Division of Graaf Reinet, about 10 feet below 

 the surface, in a marly alluvial soil, some remains of an extinct ruminant, con- 

 sisting of a skull, with the core of one horn attached, the former being of an extra- 

 ordinary length in proportion to its breadth. It forms part of the collection of 

 1847, and must speak for itself f. 



I have no doubt that a diligent search in the deep ruts or ravines that everywhere 

 intersect the great plains of the interior would produce a vast number of extinct 

 mammalian remains perfectly new to science. 



* The specimens above referred to comprise both casts of some aloe-like plants and semicylindrical 

 stem-like bodies. For observations on the calcareous casts of plant-remains near Simons Town and 

 elsewhere, see also Darwin's 'Volcanic Islands,' p. 146; Clarke, Proc. Geol. Soc. vol. iii. p. 421 ; and 

 C. Abel's Voyage, p. 308.— Ed. 



t See also Proc. Gebl. Soc. vol. iii. p. 152 ; and Trans, vol. vii. p. 59. — Ed. 



