On the Red Marl Formation of Mysore. 39 



very well characterised hornblende slate &c. may be seen, 

 but the locality is very confined. 



Another peculiarity is the almost entire absence of white 

 quartz, which is so common among the schistous formations 

 of other parts. 



This formation has generally been characterized by 

 writers as having resulted from the decomposition of 

 granite. This term " decompound" appears to have been 

 but too commonly used by Indian geologists as a convenient 

 mode of accounting for phenomena which were difficult 

 to explain. In the case in question not only is there no 

 evidence of decomposition, but it is also necessary to 

 suppose that the decomposition has created the veins of 

 the white kaolin, and also the quartz veins, and besides that 

 this all-creating power — decomposition, must have made 

 various accidental minerals which occur in many places 

 between the kaolin and the red marl, as in the Belfry 

 nullah at Bangalore, where massive scaly mica, a beautiful 

 pink kind of fuller's earth, and also a blueish grey variety 

 of the same, are found in great abundance. It is certainly 

 possible that the formation may be a disintegrated more solid 

 rock, which is still in situ, but even this it is difficult to sup- 

 pose to be likely, (certainly not difficult for certain geologists 

 to imagine, for it is only necessary to examine their writings to 

 perceive at once that there is no difficulty too vast for their 

 imagination, whenever a favourite theory is concerned). But 

 in the present case it is necessary to remember, that if the 

 rock was once more solid, it must therefore at one time have 

 occupied a smaller space, and to have expanded during 

 the process of disintegration, and as no evidence appears 

 of the movement and disruption which must have taken 

 place laterally during this process, it would seem not to 

 be very probable, unless indeed a soluble portion of the 

 original rock is supposed to have been removed by the 

 percolation of water. As one not much inclined to far- 



