68 
Records of the Geological Survey of India. 
[vol. IX. 
It is quite possible and not unnatural that the whole group may be divided strati- 
grapliically and lithologically into the three sub-groups which have been proposed, idz .— 
Kaniganj and Kamthi group (upper Damuda). 
Iron stone shales (middle do. ). 
Barakar (lower do. ). 
But with reference to their palaeontological relations, we must consider all these as 
belonging to the same age, for the whole of the fossil plants, taken together, exhibit a 
distinctly limited general character such as is found in a well defined group in Europe. One 
genus also occurs in the lower coal-strata of Australia, and consequently a corresponding 
age has been inferred for our coal-bearing rocks, but, I think, incorrectly, for the other 
plaut remains from our Damuda formation which are so very characteristic are not 
found in Australia, and even the greater part of our species of Glossopteris, Brgt., are 
distinct from the Australian, and also in Australia the same genus occurs in the upper por¬ 
tion of the coal-strata without any fossil animals, but with mesozoic plants, and is most 
abundant at this horizon. I therefore consider that— 
a. —In Australia there may be fossil remains of animals which determine the age of 
the series, although a certain species of Glossopteris, Brgt,, is found with 
them. 
b. —In India, on the other hand, as no fossil animals have been found, the age of the 
series must be determined by the other plants, notwithstanding the occurrence 
of Glossopteris, Brgt. 
I look upon the occurrence of Glossopteris, Brgt., in the Damuda formation as offering 
a parallel case to the presence of Ptilophyllum, Morr., in the Kajmahal and Kach groups : 
• it is an interesting plant, but without direct influence in enabling us to determine the 
age of the beds. My conclusions are the following, that Glossopteris, Brgt., began to 
exist in the lower coal-strata of Australia, where it is said to be associated with 
fossil animals of carboniferous age, and continued in our Indian coal series, which, 
however, are characterised by some very well defined genera, which indicate another, and 
a mesozoic age as in the upper portion of the Australian strata and in Africa. A more 
exact determination of the age will result from the comparison of the fossil plants. 
It has been, and will perhaps yet he, endeavoured to show that the Indian Damuda 
series are of palaeozoic age, hut I do not see where is the proof, as the palaeontological 
results, the only possible proofs, indicate lower mesozoic, as will appear from the follow¬ 
ing facts :— 
a. —There is no other connection between the Indian rocks and the lower portion of 
the coal-strata of Australia except the occurrence of Glossopteris, Brgt., in both ; it is, 
however, much more developed in India. 
b. —The chief evidence that uo Taniopteris occurs in the Damuda (Oldham, 
Memoirs, II, p. 329, and some others), has been shown to be a mistake, as there are found 
in the upper portion distinct species of broad-leaved Tceniopteris, Brgt., with mesozoic 
characters (Macrotceniopteris) Schimp., as I will show more fully further on. 
Memoirs IX.—Geology of Nagpfir. (W. T. Blanford), 
Memoirs X.—Satpura Coal-basin. (Medlicott). 
Memoirs XI.—Geology of Darjeeling. (Mallet). 
Besides these I will mention only— 
Bimbury .—Fossil plants from Nagpur. Quart. Journ., Geolog. Soe. 1861, Vol. XVII, p. 32S. 
Hoyle.— Illustrations of the Botany, &e., of the Himalayan Mountains. (Plants from Burdwan) 
McClelland ,—lieport of the Geological Survey in IBIS-in (Damuodah plants). 
