GEOLOGICAL SURVEY OF INDIA. 237 



of the Siwalik hills was due, a discovery which revealed the 

 extraordinary nature of the animal life with which the alluvial 

 valleys south of the Himalayas once teemed. Another famous 

 geologist was Captain Newbold, who made some important 

 researches on the laterite of the western coast, the regur or black 

 cotton soil of the south, and the mineral resources of the country, 

 while Dr. Carter, of the Indian Navy, in addition to his original 

 investigations, collected and classified the recorded observations 

 of his predecessors. 



The first geological map of India was compiled by Mr. Greenougk 

 in 1853 ; and this forms a distinct landmark showing the state of 

 our knowledge at that time ; but it was not till 1856 that Lord 

 Canning, who took a real interest in geology, placed this branch 

 of the survey on a proper footing, under the superintendence of 

 Dr. Thomas Oldham. 



The excellent work of Dr. Oldham and his able assistants are 

 described in detail in the publications of the Department, which are 

 threefold, viz., the " Memoirs," " Eecords," and " Palasontologia 

 Indica." The first-named are the detailed and matured results of 

 the investigations in each district, written by the geologist who 

 prosecuted the survey. The volumes are profusely illustrated with 

 maps, views, sections, and sketches. The " Records " are issued 

 quarterly, and contain the annual reports and brief abstracts of the 

 results of the field work during the previous three months, as well 

 as other papers of general interest. The " Palasontologia Indica " 

 contain elaborate illustrations and descriptions of the organic 

 remains which are discovered during the progress of the survey. 

 A most interesting summary of the labours of the Department up to 

 1875 is contained in Chapter XIV. of the " Memoir on the Indian 

 Surveys," at which period, in spite of the limited staff and the 

 inherent difficulties of so vast an undertaking, an area about 

 five times as large as Great Britain had been examined and 

 reported on. 



The year 1876 was one of special advance in the knowledge of Indian 

 formations, for some problems previously unsolved or misunderstood 

 in the classification of the great plant-bearing series of rocks known 

 as the Gondwana system, the only fossiliferous formation of central 

 peninsular India, was at last successfully grappled with by investi- 

 gations and discoveries made by Mr. Hughes and Dr. Feistmantel, 

 in the Pranhita valley, and corroborated by the researches of 



