1044 Remarks on the Geology, $c. [Dec. 



arranged in concentric caurellse, and as these are decomposed from the 

 cause already mentioned, the natural boulders are found. To find 

 artificial boulders at great heights among the Himmalehs, is not 

 uncommon ; there distribution, and how caused, we shall afterwards 

 inquire. Vegetation in its distribution among the mountains presents 

 very extraordinary characters — thus that of the south side of a hill 

 is quite different from that of the north ; moreover the grouping 

 of trees in the two aspects is quite different. On the northern they 

 become much sooner shrubby, and disappear, than they do on the 

 southern. This is amply proved by the observations of Mr. Gerard, 

 for a copy of which we are indebted to Dr. Macleod. 



Springs. — In regard to the temperature of springs, all those we met 

 with were of the same temperature (or a little lower) than the 

 surrounding air. Having made these few preliminary observations, 

 which will prevent much repetition in the series of memoirs about to 

 be offered, and of which this may be considered the first, in order to 

 elucidate the geology of the Himmalehs, we shall now direct our 

 attention more particularly to the subject. The rocks met with 

 between Bhar and Simla, belonging to two grand divisions, viz. 

 the secondary and transition classes, the latter, transition, may be 

 subdivided into the older and newer, or the transition properly so 

 called, and the Silurian formation of Murchison, a term lately given 

 by this distinguished author to a series of slates, sandstones, and 

 limestones, lying between the old red sandstone and grey wacke 

 series, or, in other words, a mere extension of the latter, according to 

 the views of Professor Jameson. To Mr. Murchison however much 

 credit is due, for the able and luminous manner in which he has 

 elucidated these rocks. By him they were first discovered in South 

 Wales. In Scotland this so-called formation had been long known, 

 though not considered entitled to another denomination ; they have also 

 been discovered in various parts of the European continent. In Asia 

 Minor, Mr. H. Strickland stated to us, that he had found a large 

 series of rock3 as their equivalents. In India they have never as 

 yet been noticed, although they seem to occur in vast abundance 

 among the Himmalehs, at the same time, exhibiting characters 

 similar to those met with in Wales, judging from hard specimens.* 

 Their extent we have not as yet been able to ascertain ; it must how- 



* The specimens we allude to were in the possession of our friend R. J. Hay 

 Cunningham, who brought them from particular localities in Wales mentioned by Mr. 

 Murchison. In the Museum of the Royal Society Edinburgh there is a collection 

 presented by the discoverer; but so uncharacteristic, as to be quite unfit for reference. 



