426 Geological Notes of Southern India. [No. 162. 



There is another organic form contained in this limestone, of which 

 the following figure No. 3, will give an idea, and which I think may 

 be the true transverse section of No. 2. It exhibits concentric lines of 

 holes or pores, slightly depressed at the extremities, and generally three 

 in number. ( See Fig., Diagram 3.) 



These fossils do not appear in the Cutch catalogue, or in other figured 

 fossils of India that have fallen under my notice. 



On the Meris and Abors of Assam. By Lieut. J. T. E. Dalton, Assis- 

 tant Commissioner, Assam. In a letter to Major Jenkins. Communi- 

 cated by the Government of India. 



My dear Major, — I have this moment received yours of the 8th, for 

 which many thanks. I fully intended sending you a supplemental paper, 

 giving such information as I was able to collect regarding the Abors, 

 their trade with the Meris, and communication with Thibet. The account 

 I sent you was hurriedly written, and is, I know, very incomplete in 

 many material points ; but as a mere programme for the more ample 

 narrative we may next year be, 1 hope, enabled to compile, it may not 

 be necessary to add much to it at present. 



The Customs, Language, Religion, %c. There is no very material differ- 

 ence between the Abors and Meris. They are evidently of common ori- 

 gin, and the Duphlas are of the same race. The Meris from their inter- 

 course with the plains are, in some respects, more civilized, but almost 

 all I have said concerning them applies equally to the tribes more remote. 

 They intermarry with them, exchange slaves, and are generally in the 

 habit of constant intercourse. The Meris, many of whom have become 

 rich in cattle and goods, appreciate the value of combining for mutual 

 support, and dwell in villages. The Abors, as they themselves say, 

 are like tigers, two cannot dwell in one den ; and I understand their 

 houses are scattered singly or in groups of two and three over the im- 

 mense extent of mountainous country occupied by them. 



The Meris say, that whenever a few families of Abors have united into 

 a society, fierce feuds about women and summary vengeance, or the 



