488 



FORMATION OF COAL. 



the pistillum changed into a leaf-bearing branch, the stigmata, etc. 

 into two leaves. 



This is chiefly remarkable because of the general tardiness of 

 change in the stamina, since it shows that the binary formation of 

 the pistillum is a primary effect : it may be asked, if the number 

 should be 5, why has it not reverted to its original or typical state ? 

 The calyx is not reducible to 5. The permanency of the character 

 of aggregate flowers is here shown, as well as in Echinops, so that it 

 is scarcely probable we shall ever meet a compositious flower solitary 

 in the axil of an ordinary leaf. 



To be examined hereafter in detail. 



If wood is a descending formation, produced by leaves, how are 

 woody tendrils to be accounted for. In the vine the ancient tendrils 

 are perfectly woody, although this may not be true wood, yet it is 

 truly fibrous, and I ask, from what is it formed ? 



The growth of young shoots is at once a proof that the whole 

 system may be formed from ascending growth, for in many we find 

 woody fibre complete, though not indurated, and all the leaves from 

 which wood is said to be formed are only in a rudimentary state. 



October 2nd. — Seh-Baba. Spiraea belloides, commonish on limestone 

 rocks in the ravine near the road which leads from Tazeen valley 

 to Khubur-i-Jubbur. This limestone is in thin strata; the strata 

 are subdivided by quartzose veins, they occur generally at a dip of 

 from 15 to 20 degrees, but are occasionally quite vertical or highly 

 wavey, presenting evidence of concentrated force upwards. The 

 outcrop wears an uniform aspect, and occurs to the north of the 

 ravine. The south here and there presents sheets of rock, the 

 overlying strata having slipped off. The strike of the strata is north 

 and south. 



Coal is said by Hatchet to be formed chiefly from the resinous 

 principles of plants, — this would account for its appearance when 

 burnt, which is the same as that of burnt bitumen. But resinous 

 principles are, even when they exist, of partial extent only in plants. 

 In good coal the whole of the vegetable substance seems to be trans- 

 formed, a supposition barely compatible with Hatchet's idea. 



To study this, extensive examination of coal in all degrees of for- 

 mation would be necessary, beginning with the wood so curiously 

 changed by the Brahmapootra, i. e. brown coal occurring in its sand 

 banks, and which has a very peculiar and disagreeable odour when 

 burning. It would also be necessary to examine how far the coal- 



