18G Geological formations of Tenasserim Provinces. 



The plants of the open surface of modern tropical coun- 

 tries are generally different from those along the beds of 

 streams, in which situations now-a-days Equiseteae, Lyco- 

 pods, and Filices, are chiefly found. Coal being drift, it fol- 

 lows that the plants of the coal fields cannot give us exact 

 information on the distribution of vegetables in those days ; 

 to gain information on this, the fossils should be in their 

 original situation. And there again an obstacle may exist 

 in our not being able to ascertain the height or level of that 

 situation. 



If the plants of coal fields are found to be converted into 

 coal, then the only difference between coal shale, and coal, 

 will consist in the very small proportion of vegetable matter 

 in the former. 



The small number of coal-plants, i. e. the small number 

 of species, at once points to the supposition that fossil plants 

 are confined to those of the most indestructible nature : here 

 again is another sign of this in the preponderance of Ferns 

 which Lindley finds to be the most permanent. 



Hence the preponderance of Ferns, is by no means ex- 

 plainable by their greatest simplicity of form, and consequent 

 priority of formation." 



Note on the Geological formations of Amherst Beach, Tenas- 

 ' serim Provinces. By Edward O'Riley, Esq. 



During the prevalence of the SW. monsoon, I had fre- 

 quently noticed a dark-coloured deposit at several points on 

 the sands at the beach, which forms the western sea face of 

 Amherst point, at the entrance into the Maulmain river, but 

 supposing it to be the effect of burnt drifts, or casual fires 



