Mines and Mineral Statistics. 
173 
He mentions one seam of Silurian age ; several otliei's in 
Devonian strata ; but he adds “ the great hulk of the most widelg 
distributed and most valuable coal-beds are jyeoved by numerous and 
very characteristic marine fossils to belong to the true carboniferous. 
After the close of that epocli the deposition continued Avithout 
interruption through the Permian, till probably towards the close 
of the Triassic epochs 
These are his own Avords, and he justifies his determination of 
epochs by informing ns, that “he first determined Avith some 
accuracy the geological ago of the sedimentary formations by a 
great immbor of prolific fossiliferous localities.” Nowlicrc in 
this account of his do \A'e find mention of Oolitic or Jurassic coal. 
So that really China should not he quoted to uphold the “ same 
group as the Cape Faterson scriesf (Peport p, 5). Patlicr might 
it uphold the coal of Xcav South Wales. If marine fossils 
are “ necessary,” none exist in Adetoria as avo luive already seen 
and as the Peport alh)\vs. The coal measures of Pichmond, 
A^irgtriia'' — the Peport also says — “ are stated by Sir C. Lyell to 
belong to tbo lower [)ai‘t of the Jurassic gToup,” fp. 8). \Cell, 
he did once say so, but he found he Avas wrojig, and so lie placed 
tliem finally in the Tria.s\ Proiessor ilecr considering that the 
plants “have tb.e nearest alliiiity to the Europeau Keuper.” 
{ftiideni 8 Elements of 187 L, p. 302.) 
In Africa, the association of the genera (llossopteris, Pbjdlo- 
theca, and Dictvopteris, ‘dafibrds some evidence of Mesozoic 
atfinitics” says jMr. Tate, Avbo, neverllielcss. shows that the shales 
in Avhich they occur are mn Jiirassic, but Triassic. (Q. J. Gr, 8., 
zxiii, p. 112.) Pahvonisens and some of the reptiles and an 
encrinital sfcm, might refer these Karoo l)cds to a lower position 
still. Mr. Tate admits the iinalogy is Avitli the Keuper (p. 1G9). 
On a former occasion, 1 entered upon an inquiry as to how far 
the coal fields of India Avere ]>ai‘allel Avitli those of Kcav South 
AV^ales, and hoAV far they corresponded Avith the aIcav of a 
Paheozoic ago for the latter, as shown by the determinations of 
Dr. Oldham, the able Su[)eriutcndent of the Geological Survey 
of that country. On lliis occasion I may mention that, being 
desirous of nseertaining whether any change had taken place in 
the A'iews of that excellent get)l<igist 011 the question of age, I 
AATote to him to request he Avould kindly satisfy my inquiry. On 
2nd June, 1S7I, 1 received his ix'ply, dated 2nd April of that 
year, so that it may he taken to give the actual present state of 
the Indian Coal Fields history. I shall, I believe, involve no 
breach of confidence in quoting liis oavii words, Avhich will save 
the necessity of again searching the Mcmo:rs and Pecords ot the 
Survey : — - 
“We liavc seen,” lie ?ays, “no iTii?on "wliateA'cr to alter our views 'wilh 
reference to the age of our Indian coni rocks. The plant evidence is tolerably 
conclusive with us. Our tipper beds, which contain tliiii patches and threads 
