G20 Proceedings of the Asiatic Society. [No. 6. 



found in the coal-yielding beds of Bengal, numerous remains of shells, &e. 

 which are undoubtedly representatives of the oolitic period (Ammonites, &c.) 

 The evidence here also would seem clear and the statements of Captain 

 Grant in his description of Cutch, would lead us to refer the coal-yielding 

 beds of that district containing Ptilophylla, &c. to the oolitic group. Tak- 

 ing therefore, the analogy of the nearer country, and coupling this with the 

 general analogy, of the fossil plants found in these beds, I am disposed to 

 think that we must provisionally consider these coal-bearing rocks of 

 Bengal, as belonging rather to the mesozoic period, than to the palaeozoic. 



I have stated the difficulties of this question more fully, than may appear 

 needful, because in some recent papers on the geology of India, it has been 

 assumed as perfectly settled and acknowledged ; and the whole of the coal- 

 yielding rocks of the country have been unhesitatingly referred to the oolitic 

 epoch, a conclusion by no means established. 



The fossils obtained from these beds in the Rajmahal hills are numerous 

 and beautifully preserved ; and if not sufficient to decide their geological 

 age will at least add much to our knowledge of the flora of the time. 



We have thus traced the occurrence of beds or seams of coal in three 

 distinct districts in Bengal in three formations of very distinct ages, but all 

 of which have hitherto been referred to the same epoch ; in the newer tertiary 

 (miocene?) of the Sikim Sub-himalaya; in the older tertiary (eocene) of 

 the Khasia hills ; and in the secondary (probably oolitic, possibly carbo- 

 niferous) rocks of the Rajmahal hills. 



While endeavouring to avoid any detail, Mr. Oldham had to apologize 

 for having so far trespassed on the time of the Society, being quite unpre- 

 pared with diagrams or maps to illustrate his statements. Having come to 

 Calcutta on other business, he had been requested by their Secretary to 

 give a brief outline of the results of the examination of the districts he 

 had visited, and for these results they were indebted to the zealous and 

 untiring labours of his colleagues as much as to himself, labours carried on 

 under difficulties which few geologists can fully appreciate. 



Library. 



The following additions have been made to the Library since the date of 

 the last report. 



Presented. 

 Archseologia, Vol. XXXV. p. 2.— By the Society of Antiquaries. 

 Proceedings of the Society of Antiquaries of London, Nos. 37 to 40.— 

 By the Same. 

 List of Members of ditto. — By the Same. 



