1834.] in the Schist and limestone of Kamaon. 629 



except in such specimens as fig. 1 : these are probably only the remains 

 of fragments, as they never consist of any fixed number of rings. We 

 may refer these fossils perhaps to the Linnsean genus Dentalium, and 

 the species may in that case be named D. unnulata. 

 March, 1834. 



The valley of the Ponar river, where the peculiar appearances re- 

 presented in my notice of March are found, is so hot and unhealthy, 

 that it is quite deserted at this season, and the path leading to it is so 

 difficult that for eight or ten miles it must be travelled on foot ; a per- 

 formance which an European could not accomplish with safety except 

 in the cold weather. 



This will account for my not being able to send you at present the 

 specimens you require ; and whether I be permitted to remain in this 

 neighbourhood long enough to be enabled to procure the specimens is 

 somewhat uncertain. 



These considerations induced me to make un effort to procure some 

 of the fossils without delay; and on receipt of yours of the 27th ul- 

 timo, I despatched a few natives to the spot, provided with such im- 

 plements as I could procure for breaking rocks, and placed them under 

 the direction of a person who was with me at the time I first observed 

 the fossils. 



The men have now returned unsuccessful in their attempts to break 

 the rocks, containing the specimens for which they were sent. 



Under these circumstances, it may be the most prudent way, before 

 introducing a new, real, or supposed species, to inquire if the figures 

 in question be really organic remains, or mere delineations formed by a 

 peculiar arrangement of the distinct concretions of the rocks in which 

 they are found. The consideration of this point is suggested partly by 

 the remarks contained in your letter, and partly by a fragment of tran- 

 sition limestone, which has been brought to me containing ring-shaped 

 delineations on its surface, which, if not quite similar to those repre- 

 sented in my former notice, are at least nearly allied to them. The 

 accompanying drawing (fig. 4) is a faithful representation of the ap- 

 pearance on the limestone ; the stone from which it was taken is much 

 at vour service : it was brought from the spot in which the other spe- 

 cimens are found. They occur in great quantity, and pass progressively 

 into those represented in my first notice, and both appear to be but 

 the two extremes of the same thing*. They occur only in rocks of 



* Since the above was written I have met with an extremely interesting 

 paper on Belemnites in the Phil. Transactions, 1754, by Mr. Brander, to which 

 a plate is attached, containing various figures. No. 16" bears a strong resemblance 



