182 
Proceedings of the Asiatic Society. 
[No. 2, 
lies. It would seem that we had in India series of beds much 
higher in the general sclSte than anything as yet found in Australia, 
for he was not aware ,of any group of rocks distinct from and above 
the Sydney sandstones, while it was possible that they had repre- 
sentatives of other groups lower in the scale than our Talchir rocks. In 
any case it was evident that much information could he gained from 
a careful comparison of the rocks in the two countries. For enabling 
this to he, in part at least, carried out we were indebted to the 
zealous aid of Sir Wm. Denison lately Governor of Sydney, now 
Governor of Madras. 
Sir Wm. Denison remarked that the series now on the table was 
intended to form a complete representation of the section of the rocks 
near Sydney. The specimens were all carefully numbered and lettered, 
and this numbering referred to a carefully prepared section on which 
the corresponding numbers were given. This he regretted to say had 
been either mislaid or forgotten in the hurry of leaving Sydney. 
He would, however, write for a copy of it, and on its receipt it would 
be found that this collection contained specimens from each succes- 
sive group of beds. 
All along the East coast of Australia, the country rose with a 
regular scarp, the whole series of rocks in which appeared to him 
to present an unbroken succession of beds, rising one above the other 
step by step, marked by no break physically. But they presented 
a marked difference in their organic contents. Down to a certain 
point the fossils were chiefly of plants such as those on the table. 
Then came beds with coal, and under these the beds with large 
Spirifers, Orthis, Pacliydomus, and true lower carboniferous fossils. 
He believed no coal was found below the commencement of 
these fossils in the Wollongong sandstones, and none above the 
plantbeds. A controversy was now going on between the Rev. Mr. 
Clark and Mr. McCoy, regarding the age of these beds which he 
believed turned chiefly on the peculiar characters of a fern. 
He had been much interested in the few remarks made by Mr. 
Oldham, and so far as he could, would always have great pleasure 
in aiding the Society by procuring for them specimens or informa- 
tion. 
The Officiating Librarian submitted his usual monthly report, 
