96 



On the Fossils of the Eastern Portion 



[JuLT 



immediate neighbourhood of a cliff of sandstone 300 feet in height, be- 

 tween the lower beds of which a similar schist was interposed. A more 

 important objection to Major Franklin's opinion of the diamond sand- 

 stones belonging to the new red sandstone is, that in the peninsula, this 

 sandstone, throughout 800 miles of latitude, and half as much of longi- 

 tude, is snperior to the limestone he has called " Lias." Nor can I find 

 sufficient proof in his memoirs, or in other papers on the country between 

 the Nerbudda and the Ganges, that this limestone reposes directly on the 

 sandstone; and it is evident, that no inference can bo founded on its 

 occurrence at a higher level in a country so much altered by denudation 

 and the intrusion of eruptive rocks. But should it be hereafter found, 

 that the limestone in certain parts of Bundlecund does actually occupy 

 a higher geological position, the fact would not be conclusive 

 ag?iinst the diamond sandstones of the north and south, belonging 

 (f!s every thing indicates) to the same formation. I am indeed of opi- 

 nion, that the argillaceous limestone and the sandstone constitute only 

 one fo' mation, although I do not think that they should be spoken of as 

 such in the present state of our knowledge. The basalt which has broken 

 up and penetrated these rocks to the north and south of the Nerbudda, is 

 connected v^ ith the same system of trap rocks, and was probably erupted 

 at a period much more recent than either of those to which the sand- 

 stones and limestones have been referred. 



Inferences respecting the Freshwater Fossils. 



On the evidence on this subject afforded by the fossils imbedded in or 

 covered by tiie basalt, I shall now make a few observations. For the de- 

 scriptions of the shells, I am indebted to Mr. J. De Carle Sowerby*. 



The e fossils all belong to freshwater genera, and to species which 

 have not yet been discovered recent. I have not been able to obtain the 

 seeds of Asiatic Charm, nor the valves of any Cypris inhabiting the fresh 

 waters of India. The shells, however, all differ from those inhabiting the 

 rivers of the neighbouring country, as far as Mr. Sowerby and myself 

 could judge, by comparing them with a collection of recent shells, which 

 I made during a residence of screral years at Nagpoor ; nor do 1 think it 

 possible that any of the larger shells could have escaped my notice, did 

 they still inhabit the northern branches of the Godavery. Colonel Sykes, 

 also, had the kindness to allow me to examine a collection of recent shells 

 made by him near the western ghats, consisting of the same species as 



* See Plate, and Description. 



