1841.] CapL Hutton's Geological Report. 215 



from the snows have worn numerous channels through the loose and 

 decomposing shales, occur the fossils which were long ago discovered by 

 Dr. Gerard. These consist of various species of ammonites, belemnites, 

 orthoceratites area, and some others ; but all partaking of the same 

 decomposing nature as the shales in which they occur, so that it is next to 

 impossible to procure a perfect specimen, or to prevent its falling to pieces 

 if obtained. 



The limestones which here alternate in the series/ are sometimes wholly 

 composed of shells, and are of a dark grey colour, while at the height of 

 14,712 feet occurs a bed of a whitish grey colour, and almost free from 

 shells, but imbedding large rounded masses of various sizes, which when 

 broken are found to be composed wholly of the dark shell limestone 

 already mentioned. 



Among these hills there is great confusion in the direction of the dip, 

 the strata sometimes inclining to the S.W. or N. E., while at others they 

 are N.N.W., and to almost every point of the compass. These masses 

 are, however, generally limited to small extent, and appear like fragments 

 torn from the true or main direction by the force of the upheaving agent. 

 These strata extend along the range for many miles farther up the valley, 

 but no fossils were apparent at any place, except on the heights above 

 Leedung and Larra. They exist, however, in the form of shell limestone 

 along the range immediately leading from the lake Chummorareel ; but at 

 this season the whole range lay so deeply buried in snow, that the route 

 was impracticable, and I was obliged reluctantly to quit the fossil site, not 

 half satisfied with its investigation. 



From the nature of the rocks in this part of the valley, and the reports 

 of those who have visited lake Chummorareel, I should feel strongly 

 inclined to believe that it is situated among the Lias clays. Puttee Ram, 

 the Tartar wuzeer, who has often visited the spot, assured me that the 

 lake was surrounded by high hills composed of earth of various colours, 

 red, yellow, blue, &c. and that the country around was all of similar clays, 

 and not composed of rocks like the lower parts of Spiti, although some- 

 times above the hills of clay, large masses of stone were also found. 



Such a description, all rough though it be, would lead one to expect the 

 Lias beds resting on the red marie, and surmounted by the sandstone series 

 above the oolite. The subject, I am sorry to think, must thus far remain 

 obscure, until some more fortunate traveller shall venture upon those 

 interesting scenes. 



From this slight sketch it will be seen that the geological series from 

 Kotgurh to the neighbourhood of Soongnum, in Kunawur, is that of the 

 primary class ; while thence, to the head of the Spiti valley, we find, 



2 D 



