1841.] Capt. Huttorts Geological Report 227 



length to the sandstones of the tertiary series, in which, at various places 

 from Nahn to Buddee, the fossil exuviae of extinct quadrupeds are found. 



This, although but a faint and meagre outline of the geology of 

 the noble ranges of the western Himalaya, is nevertheless sufficient to 

 point out the formations which occur from the base of the mountains 

 to Spiti and Ludak, and is as much as could be done in a hasty tour 

 over so extensive a field. I shall now, therefore, draw this somewhat 

 lengthy paper to a close, by alluding to the means by which the im- 

 bedded exuviae of these formations have been brought to light in these 

 latter days. 



I have already stated, that the fall of man is the true period to which 

 the loss of the fossil marine Mollusca of the Spiti and Subathoo fields 

 is to be referred. 



At the time of their extinction, the secondary strata in which they 

 are imbedded were under course of deposition in horizontal beds, beneath 

 the bosom of a tranquil water, and thus they remained for a period of 

 many years after. 



The increasing depravity of the human race, once more called down the 

 vengeance of an offended God, and brought about the second and last grand 

 revolution which the earth has experienced, namely, the Mosaic deluge. 



That catastrophe was the means by which the destruction of the large 

 terrestial mammalia of the tertiary strata was effected. 



When, therefore, the waters had performed the punitory offices for which 

 they were allowed to transgress their bounds, the mountains of the Hima- 

 lya were caused, among others, to rise upwards by some vast volcanic 

 or upheaving agent, in order to throw back the ocean from the earth, and 

 gather it again into the place appointed to receive it. 



By that upheavement the primary series of the Snowy Range was thrust 

 aloft in torn and ragged spires, while the secondary strata of Spiti and 

 Subathoo then first rose upwards from their horizontal plane to the in- 

 clined position which they now possess. Consequent on the uprise of this 

 secondary series was also that of the tertiary beds, and thus we find one 

 single geological revolution to be the sole agent in upheaving the strata of 

 three widely distinct and separate formations. 



The Snowy Range or true Himalya, is composed entirely of rocks belong- 

 ing to the primary series, while to the north and south of it are found rest- 

 ing on its sides, strata of the secondary formationsd isposed at high angles 

 from the horizon, and usually rich in the exuviae of marine and lacustrine 

 Mollusca; while ont he southern exposure, forming the base of the hills, 

 and resting on the secondary rocks, occur the tertiary or diluvian beds, 

 which the successful researches of Messrs. Falconer, Durand, and others, in 



