1854.] Notes upon the Geology of the Bajmahal Hills. 273 



date. In this district no animal organic remains have been found ; 

 but these Ptilophylla occur abundantly, associated with several other 

 fossil plants hitherto only found in the beds associated with the 

 coal of Bengal. 



There is, however, a well marked distinction to be drawn between 

 these beds. Although, as we have stated, these fossils are found 

 associated in the same beds, and thus prove the existence of the 

 plants which they represent at the same time, still they are not 

 commonly so found together, a prevalence of the Ptilophylla or 

 Zamia-like group characterizing the upper beds ; a prevalence of 

 Vertebraria and of its associated fossils characterizing the lower 

 group. While, therefore, the whole series appears to belong un- 

 questionably to the same great formation, a distinction into upper 

 and lower series, may justly be drawn. 



So far therefore, as present evidence goes (and to the same result 

 the analogies of the fossils discovered in the Burdwan coal field 

 point) the entire group of the coal-producing rocks of Bengal proper •* 

 would appear to belong to the same great geological era, as the exten- 

 sive formation of the Oolites of Europe ; and to be essentially distinct 

 from, and of more recent date than the true coal measure series 

 (of Europe) . 



I doubt not that the further examination of the undoubtedly 

 Oolitic districts which are known to occur at intervals across the 

 central part of India (Bundelcund, &c. &c.) will enable the accuracy 

 of this conclusion to be fully and satisfactorily tested, and will throw 

 much light on the succession of rocks in India, a point as yet in 

 considerable obscurity.f 



Above all the rocks noticed before and in many places forming a 

 considerable thickness on the tops of the highest ridges, occurs 



* I include here the Damoodah and Adji coal field ; the Ramgurh coal fields 

 described by Mr. Williams, the Kuhur bali coal field, described by Dr. McClelland ; 

 the Rajmahal hill coals and a few isolated patches which occur between. Regarding 

 the coals of the Soane Valley I have no information. 



t Some of the fossils we have found have a triassic aspect and probably indicate 

 a period, a little more ancient than the oolitic. Unfortunately we have as yet no- 

 thing but vegetable remains, the conclusions derived from which, must always be 

 unsatisfactory. 



2 o 



