564 Correspondence. 



of their organic character than any of those previously described, from 

 their being composed of dark earthy, as well as light earthy particles, 

 more or less in alternate layers, with an intermixture of particles of 

 different colours, grouped so as to resemble vessels very much, particu- 

 larly when examined with a common lens, but with a higher power, 

 which ought to develop organic structure more perfectly, this resem- 

 blance is not confirmed ; but we shall consult Mr. Grant, whose experi- 

 ence in observations of this nature is equalled by few, regarding all 

 these specimens. 



The appearances in agate are often so very deceptive, that the trans- 

 verse section of fossil palm would not have been received by us as fossil 

 had not similar specimens been identified by Mr. Grant, after much 

 careful observation, as the roots of palm trees. Before this point was 

 decided, Mr. Grant, from the want of mechanical aid in India, sent 

 specimens to lapidaries in England to be cut into longitudinal and 

 transverse slips for the microscope, and these, when compared with 

 the roots of certain living palms, leave no doubt as to their identity. 



Remarks on Dr. Lord's account of Affghanisthan. 

 [From a Correspondent.] 



By good fortune I have been able to get a sight of the reports and 

 papers of Dr. Lord and others regarding " Scinde, Affghanistan, and 

 adjacent countries;" I say good fortune, for if the " march of intellect," 

 or the "schoolmaster when abroad," had made any advance in those 

 mountainous regions, T would have in vain endeavoured to have accom- 

 plished my object, as no doubt the Gilzie chiefs would have prized 

 more a learned disquisition about their own country than a bag of grain, 

 the more so, as they might by chance have their own person, house, 

 horses, &c. described in glowing and enthusiastic terms. 



In the immense folio work now before us, there are many interesting 

 and valuable articles, but in a scientific point of view those by Dr. Lord 

 are most worthy of notice. I shall therefore endeavour to give you 

 some idea of the substance of these papers ; as for extracting the cream 

 of them, I shall leave this to be done by abler hands ; do not for a mo- 

 ment allow this to lead you to suppose that at present it does not abound, 

 this may, or may not be, as the case, or rather circumstance of the case is. 

 We differ however on many points, and there are many sentences very 

 ambiguous, I shall therefore take notice of these in order that your ex- 

 perience may be thrown into the balance. The first article is entitled, 

 Some account of a visit to the plain of Koh-i-Damun, the mining district of 

 Ghorbicnd, and the pass of Hindu Rush ; with a few General Observations 

 respecting the structure and conformation of the country from the Indus to 



