1840.] Geological Formation of the Himalayan Mountains, 341 



The Fossils described by Dr. Gerard, Gleanings iii., p. 92, as found 

 by him in a loose stratum of black schist, elevated 13,000 to 15,000 

 feet upon the declivity of the Spiti. The Terebratulse were par- 

 ticularly remarked on the Laitche Lang Chain, the third great 

 ridge of the Himalayas, at an elevation of 17,000 feet, altogether dis- 

 tinct fiom the above formation. From the examination of the 

 shells, the Rev. Mr. Everest concluded that there exist in the Hima- 

 layan range strata analogous to the early secondary and transition 

 formations of Europe; Gl. iii., p. 30. Specimens of the shells hav- 

 ing been sent to Mr. J. D. C. Sowerby, he coincides in this view, 

 and considers some of them as identical with shells of the mountain 

 Limestone, Inferior Oolite, and Lias of England. J. A.S.I. , p. 248. 

 The species in my collection, obtained chiefly from Dr. Gerard, consist 

 of Astarte, a genus of which it is extremely difficult to determine 

 the species. Area or Cucullcea, Avicula, Terebratula or Atrypa, 

 with a species not figured ; a genus not determinable in my speci- 

 mens : Delthyris?; Ammonites, two species. The markings of both 

 indicate that they belong to that division of the genus which range, 

 from the Lias to the Chalk, both inclusive. Belemnites two species. 



A section having been given of a portion of the Central flange of 

 India, ihat is, from Sheerghatty to Rogonautpore, some details might 

 be given respecting their Geological structure, but as the Author has 

 already exhausted his space, he can only refer to the valuable papers 

 of Dr. Voysey and of Colonel Sykes, as well as to that of Dr. Malcolm- 

 son, for the Geology of Central Lidia, and to the Geological observa- 

 tions made by the Rev. Mr. Everest, on a journey from Calcutta to 

 Ghazipore. Gleanings, iii., p. 129. The rocky basis of the range is 

 composed of Gneiss, passing occasionally into mica slate ; and that 

 this alternates with hornblende rock, which is most conspicuous 

 at the several Ghauts ; and that they have both an anticlinal dip 

 from the Granite and Trap, which make their appearance at the Sus- 

 pension Bridge, and in the Bulbul rivulet. The Granite ia also seen 

 in outliers, and on both flanks of the range. On the Gneiss, a gray 

 micaceous sandstone is horizontally deposited, but much disturbed in 

 some situations. With the shale, &c. impressions of fossil vegetables 

 are found, as well as Coal. 



The Chinnakooree Coal formation, resembles that of Ranigunj, 

 on the Damooda, described by Mr. Jones and the Reverend Mr, 

 Everest, and noticed by Mr. De la Beche in his Manual, p. 399, 

 from the Author's notes, but which he is compelled to suppress. 

 Gneiss was seen near Pachette, but the hill over which the Author 



