1835.] On the Fussil Bones of the Jumna River. 499 



[On the receipt of the first batch of specimens, a correspondence 

 ensued, to ascertain the precise position of the fossils, and their true 

 geological age ; the opinions then upheld by their collector have been 

 since more fully developed in his intelligent memoir published in the 

 Journal for May. It will be as well, however, to insert here an 

 extract from Mr. Dean's previous letter of the 16th August, 1834.] 



In answer to your question, whether any specimens (fossil) have 

 been found under the kankar strata of the general Duab alluvium ? 

 Without any hesitation, I answer, not one instance has occurred. 



It may be questioned, how in the deep bunds of the Jamna, exca- 

 vated fur the purpose of removing the clay banks or shoals, which 

 are so dangerous to the navigation : trees, pieces of boats, and some 

 very few instances of bones have been discovered, at depths of from 

 ?to 10 feet from the upper surface of the clay, from which perhaps 

 a crust of kankar, from one to four feet thick, has first been re- 

 moved, in a perfect state of petrifaction. This circumstance, on a 

 superficial examination, might be deemed conclusive of these speci- 

 mens having been actually removed from a level lower than the kankar 

 strata of the general Duab alluvium, and from under what would 

 appear to be two regular and natural strata ; and that there was every 

 probability of their occurring at the same level under neighbouring 

 and other strata, having no connexion with the river ; but, Sir, I feel 

 quite satisfied, that at two feet in or under any natural stratum of kankar 

 placed at any level reached by the Jamna, no specimen of animal or 

 vegetable deposit will be found ; but I shall be enabled to prove in 

 my observations on the obstructions of the river, that both these 

 apparently natural strata of clay and kankar, are merely deposits, and 

 which being removed, only leave the river, at this place, at a depth it 

 has before attained ; but which, from circumstances I believe peculiar 

 to the Jamna, and which I shall hereafter treat on, may, from the ra- 

 pidity (comparative) of their formation, give an appearance of the 

 work of ages, to deposits, which have been the work of not more than 

 10 or 12 years. 



I am aware, Sir, that I view this subject in a different light from that 

 in which it has hitherto appeared to you. I feel convinced, however, 

 that the researches of Indian geologists would be amply rewarded 

 in examining the bed of the Jamna ; but I should consider the dis- 

 covery of fossil remains at a level corresponding with the deepest 

 parts of the river in the sandy soil of the Duab as the merest possible 

 accident ; and I shall be best understood when I say my firm convic- 

 tion is, that such specimens of fossil animal or vegetable remains, as 



