Geology of the Bhiptpore District. 81 



generally interposed between the newer strata and the rocks of 

 the mica-slate and granitic series of Rajpootana ; and fu- 

 ture observation may probably discover, in this portion of India, 

 the outcroppings of other strata, which may complete the series 

 between the new and old red sandstones. The latter I have 

 described as occasionally appearing, as surface-rocks, in situa- 

 tions the most remote from each other*. 



The supporters of the theory of upheaving agencies will not 

 fail to perceive, in the above arrangement, an argument strongly 

 corroborative of their opinions. The fact alone, that the pri- 

 mary rocks of Rajpootana are skirted, or rather, I may say, iso- 

 lated, by newer formations, corresponding with each other, even 

 at the greatest distances, is a strong presumptive evidence that 

 the former were elevated, or rather forced through a superjacent 

 formation, the remains of which are still found skirting the pri- 

 mary district, which now occupies a central position in reference 

 to the newer formations. The skirting belts are frequently 

 very narrow, and the above seems to be the simplest way of ac- 

 counting for the appearances observed. 



Strong internal evidence of the truth of this theory may be 

 perceived in the structure of the rocks, — in the position of the 

 strata, — in the relative direction of the hill ranges, — and in the 

 different levels at which the newer rocks exist. To this subject 

 I may at a future period revert, and shall at present content 

 my'self with remarking, that, posterior to the formation of the 

 newer limestones and sandstones, the agent concerned in the ele- 

 vation of the great overlying Malwa trap, must have exerted its 

 enormous energy, and that a cause so energetic must have pro- 

 duced effects far beyond the immediate sphere of its operation. 

 Perhaps, too, we may trace in the distribution of the Rajpoo- 

 tana formations the effects of that tendency in the newer marine 

 deposits, to be ruptured along fracture lines at right angles, or 

 nearly so, to one another. Mr Scrope -f* has supposed that this 

 cause, slight though it apparently be, may have had a great 

 influence in determining the direction of our mountain ranges; 

 and, in the instance before us, we have seen the skirting belts of 

 newer rocks, first pursuing a northerly and southerly direction 



• See Edinburgh New Philosophical Journal, p. 87, No. 21. 

 •\ See his late work on Volcanoes. 

 VOL. XIV. NO. XXVII. JANUARY 1832. T 



