396 Note on the Fossil Elephant [Aug. 



V. — Note on the Fossil Bones of the Nerbudda valley, discovered by Dr. 



G. G. Spilsbury, near Narsinhpiir fyc. By J. Prinsep, Secretary, #c. 



(See Plate xxiv). 



[Read at the Meeting of the 6th August.] 



The circumstances of the discovery of the gigantic fossil bones now 

 presented by Doctor Spilsbury, were brought to the notice of the 

 Society on the 30th October last*. I should feel inclined in pointing 

 to these splendid trophies, to repeat the obligations of Indian geology 

 to this eminent cultivator of the science, but that his modesty will not 

 allow me to designate him ' geologist,' although his zeal and enterprise 

 in the systematic prosecution of geological inquiries, and his continued 

 success in making known these treasures of the ancient world, treasures 

 which had escaped so long the diligent search of professed geologists, 

 have fairly won for him all the fame that the most enthusiastic disciple 

 of the Wernerian hammer could covet. 



Dr. Spilsbury's discoveries indeed forcibly exemplify the truth of the 

 fable of " eyes and no eyes." As it was his conversation with the lime- 

 burner that first brought to light the existence of the Jabalptir fossil shells, 

 so was it an humble native carpenter at Narsinhpiir from whom he ob- 

 tained the knowledge of the giant at Segauni, which was followed up by an 

 immediate visit to the spot, and the reaping of a rich harvest of discovery. 

 Again, " on mentioning these fossil bones to the medical officer stationed 

 at Hoshangdbdd," says Dr. Spilsbury, in a private note to myself, " he 

 told me there were plenty just below his house, and that he would 

 shew them to me : off we went, and I flatter myself I brought away 

 what you will deem a real acquisition — the head of a horned animal 

 (buffalo ?) imbedded in the stone. Dr. Irvine had considered them 

 of too recent formation to be worthy of much notice, but I thought 

 differently, and so I submit them to those who are more cognoscent on 

 the subject : claiming for myself no more credit in the matter beyond 

 a wish to contribute to this very interesting science such discoveries 

 as mere accidents have thrown in my way." 



We should remember that the specimens, collected on these occa- 

 sions, are not little hand samples, easily carried about, but bulky masses 

 weighing from one to two maunds each ; that they have to be convey- 

 ed 3 or 400 miles by land carriage over a difficult country before 

 they c'an be embarked for another voyage of 600 miles to Calcutta. 

 The care taken in packing them has however been so effectual, that I 

 can safely say we see them now as they left the rocky conglomerate of the 

 Omar nadi bank, from which they were detached nearly a year ago. 



* See Joum. As. Soc. vol. ii. p. 586. 



