Dakhma

[Native East Indian.] A place where human bones are deposited, especially the towers on which bodies are placed, in some parts of India, to be devoured by vultures. Dako'ta Forma'tion. (Geol.) A group of rocks belonging to the cretaceous strata of America, so called from being first observed in the territory of the Dakota Indians. Its outcrop extends along the western border of the great plains from Texas to Alberta, and is also observed at many points in the eastern border of the plains, while the intermediate portions are overlaid by cretaceous beds of more recent origin. The rocks consist of coarse, yellowish sandstones, with a ociated shales. The water in which these beds were laid is shown, by fo il shells, to have been partly fresh and partly brackish, while the abundant remains of plants show that it was surrounded by a luxuriant forest. The formation is of industrial importance from its containing a valuable supply of coal, and from the free yielding of artesian water by its sandstones.