114 Correspondence. 



cimens of which I have sent you. On returning to the spot in the 

 evening, we picked up great numbers; in short, almost every round 

 stone was either the cast of, or accompanied a portion of one. We then 

 procured one or two specimens of Ammonites, Gryphcea, Voluta, and 

 other shells, drawings of which I believe Mr. Kaye is preparing for 

 publication. I have since procured other Ammonites, and one a re- 

 markably fine one with markings very distinct, but I must await my 

 return to my station at Cuddalore to define its species by a reference to 

 Buckland and Mantell. We have not been able to decide upon the 

 above Nautilus, so that you see we have but little advanced in geology, 

 but if you should be able to do so, I hope you will inform me. Direct 

 to me at Cuddalore ; on my return there I will select for you some 

 better specimens. We have not been able as yet to persuade any of 

 those better acquainted with the subject at Madras to pay a visit to the 

 spot, so that in fact it has not received justice. I am so thoroughly un- 

 acquainted with the science, as to be able to give you no information 

 regarding strata or any other point which doubtless a geologist would 

 immediately fix upon, but if you will give me a few hints for particular 

 observance at my next visit, I shall be happy to pay attention to 

 them. The Nautili when divided longitudinally shew the chambering 

 very beautifully ; I hope I have forwarded you good specimens. I 

 think I have procured a Scaphite, which is imbedded in very hard 

 lime. Very few Ammonites are on the surface, those I have were 

 the greater part obtained by breaking up large blocks of limestone, 

 when the cleavage exposed them. I have sent you spiral and 

 other shells, and shall be glad to find that you have fixed their species, 

 &c. I am possessed also, I believe, of portions of Turrilites, but the 

 Siphunele is not clearly exposed. The limestone masses held great 

 quantities of Baculites, Turbinolea, Gryphcea Ostrea, bivalve and spiral 

 shells, of which I think that I have sent you portions. A quarry has 

 long been worked in the neighbourhood, the stone taken to Pondicher- 

 ry, the streets of which town are paved with it, and the natives are 

 partial to its use, as it is not so slippery as granite. By the bye, can 

 you determine what those pear-shaped Zoophytes are which I have 

 sent? We generally found that each shell was to be found in greater 

 abundance at one particular spot than at another, or rather that differ- 

 ent sites were marked by a superabundance of one particular fossil. I 

 have written this letter in a hurry, and have therefore, I dare say, 

 omitted many important facts which it is desirable you should be ac- 

 quainted with to arrive at a correct idea of the deposit, or to enable you 

 to offer any remarks upon it ; but, as I said before, if you will make me 



