140 Miscellaneous. t 



One of the most interesting geological facts elicited during the progress of the Expedition to 

 the northward, was the existence of the second of these carboniferous dep osits. The locality 

 of the mineral, though not actually visited, was pretty accurately ascertained, being about lati- 

 tude 39 - 10' North, and longitude 121 - 25' East, and is situated within a mile of the sea coast. 

 Some junks were found laden with this coal, of which it is rather difficult to form a correct opi- 

 nion from the small quantity brought away : I should however pronounce it anthracite of inferi- 

 or quality. Some specimens of the rocks prevailing on the coast, were brought away by the 

 parties who visited this district, and prove that igneous rocks prevail there also. A slaty rock 

 of the nature of shale, was said to have been found in the water courses, but unfortunately no 

 specimens were preserved. The mere existence of this rock would however imply the occur- 

 rence of a regular coal series, in which beds of better quality may be found. 



No metallic ores of any description were seen in any spot visited by the Expedition during the 

 past year CI 840), nor does the general appearance of the country to the Eastward convey an im- 

 pression of their existence, excepting that iron might perhaps be met with in the mountains. 

 The gold and silver produced in China, are obtained, exclusively it would seem, from the 

 Western Provinces bordering on Thibet ; but upon this point no information as to the precise lo- 

 cality of the mines, has been obtained. Veins of the metallic ores are however very unlikely to 

 be found among the igneous rocks of the Eastern coast, so far at least as they came under my 

 observation. 



Remarks on Apostasia. By R. Brown, Esq. D.C.L. &c. From the Plantce 



Asiat. Rariores. 

 Apostasia. Blume Bydrag. p. 423. 



Perianthium limbo sexpartito, regulari. Stamina antherifera 2, quo- 

 rum Filamenta foliolis lateralibus interiorum perianthii opposita, infra, 

 connata cum basi Styli supra cylindracei, et vel nudi, vel bine Fila- 

 mento Tertio castrato, altius adnato, foliolo antico exteriorum opposito, 

 appendiculati. Anthere biloculares, longitudinaliter dehiscentes. Pol- 

 len e granulis simplicibus, solutis. Stigma obtusum, obsolete bi-tri- 

 lobum. Capsula trilocularis, polysperma. Semina ovata, testa nucleo 

 conformi." Brown MSS. 



Classis Linneana : Gynandria Diandria. 



Ordo naturalis : Orchidearum Trib. Apostasiea Br. 



Obs. "This very remarkable genus, founded on Apostasia odorata, 

 was first published in 1825 by Dr. Blume in tbe work referred to ; but 

 in 1821 a nearly related species was discovered in tbe valley of Noakote 

 in Nipal, by tbe plant-collectors of Dr. Wallicb, who, in bis manuscripts, 

 which I have had the advantage of consulting, named it Mesodactylis 

 deflexa, and at the same time had the drawing made which is here 

 given. 



I have followed these two distinguished botanists in regarding 

 Apostasia as belonging to, or at least as most nearly related to, Orchidia. 

 It exhibits, however, very few of tbose characters generally considered 

 as essential to that family of plants. 



