YENANGYOUNG. 6l 



zone of Hippotherium antelopinum, but above the Prome stage 

 that it serves as a distinguishing feature. It may also be mentioned 

 that the beds of this stage are intersected by numerous veins filled 

 with eruptive mud (see page 80). 



b. Palsontological characters. — In the neighbourhood of Yen- 

 angyoung these beds are particularly destitute of fossils. With the 

 exception of the two species already mentioned, viz., Cyrena 

 {Batissa) crawfurdi and Cyrena (Batissa) peirolei, which have been 

 found in the topmost bed, no other fossils have hitherto been met 

 with. 



It also deserves to be mentioned that the few fragments of fossil 

 wood which are occasionally found are always carbonized, never 

 silicified. 



The total absence of fossil remains in this stage, excepting the 

 two species already mentioned, is very remarkable, because further 

 to the north, near Singh a fine marine fauna was discovered in the 

 same horizon. The thickness of the stage is about i,ioo feet» 

 but in the absence of any fossils it is useless to attempt further 

 subdivision, particularly as it will be pointed out further on 

 (see page 77) that the beds are of very limited horizontal exten- 

 sion. When the sections described are examined it will be ap- 

 parent that a thick bed of sandstone may abruptly terminate, and 

 be replaced by an equally thick bed of clay, thus showing the 

 uselessness of subdividing a formation of so uniform litholosical 

 characters. 



(bb) The lower miocene or Prome stage. 

 a. Lithological characters, — In striking contrast to the yellowish 

 and brown tinges of the upper tertiary beds, the lower miocene is 

 always characterised chiefly by bluish, or, in some cases, greyish 

 colours. 



As in the previously described divisions, the principal rocks are 

 sandstones and argillaceous beds, but there are no limestones or 

 shales. 



( 107 ) 



