1835.] and Site of Fossil Bones in the Jumna. 277 



in a certain distance of the river has been cut down, and others still 

 farther back marked for the same purpose 10 or 12 years hence. 



A few may perhaps be drifted out of the Chambul and other tribu- 

 tary streams, but of so little consequence from their small size (the 

 large and dangerous ones lying where they fall), that this obstacle may 

 be said to be almost entirely surmounted. 



Description of a cluster of four palms and a pipal tree. These re- 

 mains have belonged to trees once growing on the general level of 

 the Bundlecund bank, which having been sapped by the stream, they 

 have slipped down with the earth, in which they grew, in the manner 

 represented in sketch No. 7, (7. fig. 1. PI.)* The pipal having been 

 nearest the river has fallen lowest, and according to their distance 

 from the edge do they now occupy their present positions, forming as 

 it were a graduated scale, proving more strongly than any other in- 

 stance I am aware, the petrifying qualities of the water. All I 

 could write on this subject would not be so conclusive of this asser- 

 tion as one glance at the specimens, which I shall merely describe. 



A is the bark of the pipal stump, five feet in diameter, and about 

 14 feet long, lying on a sloping bank, with the root towards the river. 



A 3 are portions of the body or trunk, which is reduced to that 

 state, which I conceive necessary for any substance to attain before 

 petrifaction commences, viz. a total extinction of all its animal or ve- 

 getable properties: whether the wood is actually changed into stone, or 

 the gradual formation of stone merely destroys and takes its place, I 

 am not able to decide ; I can only say, when once properly petrified, the 

 rings, the marks of annual growth of the tree, remain as apparent as 

 when in a vegetable state. 



A 2 roots of do. in a similar state to A 1. 



B remains of the palm No. 1 



C do. of do. No. 2 



Ddo. of do. No. 3 -^ ^etch No. 7. 



h 



E do. of do. No. 4. 



The very apparent difference of texture between specimens Nos. 1 

 and 4, is caused by the former lying lower ; it has been more frequent- 

 ly exposed to the action of the water than the latter. Nos. 2 and 3, oc- 

 cupy intermediate levels. 



In adopting the term " petrified," as regards the palms, it is ne- 

 cessary to observe, that the striated fracture precludes the idea that this 

 is the wood, the grain of which would be longitudinal, and confirms it 

 as a tufa formation, enveloping the several parts of the tree expos- 

 ed. Still I imagine, there are sufficient portions of fibres really petri- 

 fied, to warrant its being applied as a general term to these specimens. 

 * We have conceived it unnecessary to insert this sketch. — Ed. 



