656 Geological Specimens from Kemaon. [Aug. 



lamellar in consequence of straight layers of argillaceous matter which 

 separate the calcareous parts ; these are very minutely granular. It 

 reposes on clay-slate on the northern declivity of Takill. 



37. Snow-white fine granular limestone. 



38. Peach-blossom granular limestone. The granular foliated struc- 

 ture of both these rocks is obscure ; 38 effervesces but slowly in acids, 

 and a small portion appears to remain insoluble. 



39. In this specimen both forms of the rock (38 and 37) alternate in 

 layers. 



40. Splintery hornstone from beds in 37 and 38. 



41. Hornstone. Inq. Kem. 151. 



42. Slate and limestone named for some reason for which I cannot now 

 sufficiently account, aluminous slate and limestone. Inq. Kem. 87. Speci- 

 men from the Ramessa valley. 



43. Another variety of the same rock from the Ponar valley. 



44. Magnesian limestone containing mica and other insoluble matters. 



45. Magnesian limestone. 



46. Coarse magnesian limestone. The last three rocks belong to the 

 Ponar valley. Inq. Kem. 90 to 92. 



47. Steatitic sandstone, (Inq. Kem. 92,) fresh specimen. 



48. Another specimen of the fresh rock. 



49. The same partially weathered. 



50. The same merely differing in color and rather more weathered. 



51. Fully weathered and presenting the character of a fine sand- 

 stone in the state in which this peculiar rock forms the greater portion of 

 the Suee mountain. See map. 



52. The same as it often occurs in overlying masses corroded as in the 

 specimen. 



These instructive specimens from 47 to 52 merit serious attention. We 

 see at Jeercoonie (vide map) a ridge of mountain formed of compact rock 

 capable of scratching glass, and presenting some of the characters of Jade. 

 We see masses of this rock continually separating and falling from the effects 

 of the atmosphere, and that the masses thus detached from the original bed 

 change rapidly from a compact and crystalline state to a loose fine-grain- 

 ed sandstone whose characters become permanent. Even the fresh speci- 

 mens 47 and 48 since the time I procured them have underwent so great 

 a change that they would now hardly be recognised by a person who saw 

 them before. The sharp splinters have become soft and opaque, and 

 the whole surface from an uniform sea-green and greenish yellow with 

 waxy lustre has changed to a dull gray ! To what extent have such chan- 

 ges taken place in nature ? The Suee mountain adjoining Jeercoonie though 

 now a huge unconformable mass of fine sandstone without a trace of its 

 former appearance must have originally consisted of this crystalline though 

 apparently stratified rock ! Inq. Kem, 92. 



53. The same rock fresh bat rapidly undergoing change. 



