256 DK. W. T. BLANFORD ON THE OCCUEEEl^CE OF 



however, is disputed*) that the nodales were not pebbles, but con- 

 cretions. 



Dr. Waagen, to whom the fossils were sent for examination, found 

 10 recognizable species amongst them. Of these, 2 Serpulce and a 

 Lamellibranchiate mollusk, referred with some doubt to Atomodesma 

 (Mytilidce), are new. A N icula and a Discina also occur, but not 

 sufficiently well preserved for accurate specific determination. The 

 more important identifications are : — 



Bucania, cf. Tcattaensis, Waagen. 

 Conularia Icevigata, Morris, common. 

 C tenuistriata, M^Coy. 

 G. cf. irregularis, Kon. 

 Aviculopecten, cf. limceformis (Morris). 



Conularia Icevigata, 0. tenuistriata, and Avicidopeeten limceformis 

 are found in the Carboniferous beds of Australia, Conularia irregu- 

 laris in the Mountain-Limestone of Belgium, Bucania (a genus allied 

 to BelleropTion) hattaensis in the lower stage of the Productus-\\m.e- 

 stone of the Salt Range. There can be no question of the fauna 

 being Carboniferous, whilst the fact that only one species, and that 

 not identified with certainty, is known from the Salt-Eange Pro- 

 c^Kc^its-limestone, renders it probable that these fossils indicate a 

 slightly different age from that of any of the fossiliferous beds pre- 

 viously known in the locality. This age cannot be newer (for it is 

 absurd to suppose the fauna to be supra-Permian), so it must be 

 rather older. This is the view taken by Dr. Waagen, and he 

 shows how the appearance of a Carboniferous bed, rather older 

 than the known Productus-W-mQsione, beneath the Cardita-Beaumonti 

 beds at this spot may be accounted for. In starting from the west 

 the Cardita-Beaumonti beds are found resting, first on Jurassic beds, 

 then on Triassic, then on the Fusidina-heds of the lower Productus- 

 limestone, and finally on the Comdaria-himd of the boulder-bed. 

 This last is precisely where the Speckled Sandstone should crop out. 

 Dr. Waagen concludes that this boulder-bed of the eastern Salt Range 

 is the same as that in the Speckled Sandstone of the western portion 

 and as that west of the Indus, and that all are approximately of 

 Coal-measure age, that is, contemporaneous with the boulder-beds 

 shown by Mr. R. Oldham to be so extensively developed in Eastern 

 Australia. 



There is, however, a difficulty to be overcome. Mr. Wynne, who 

 surveyed the Salt Range in detail, and is consequently entitled to 

 speak with much authority on the geology, in a recent paper not yet 

 published, but of which a summary is given in the ' Geological 

 Magazine ' for March 1886, and also in letters that I have received 

 from him, questions the concretionary nature of the nodules, and states 

 that he has evidence of their being transportedf. He particularly 



* I will refer to this presently. 



t Specimens which Mr. Wynne was so good as to send to me for exhibition 

 at the meeting bear out this view. One unmistakable pebble contains a Conu- 

 laria, the shell of which is intersected by the worn surface of the pebble. But 



