BARAKAR GROUP. 19 



In the Wardha valley, it is only possible to identify the Barakars, 



there being no rocks with the mineral aspect of the 



No lithologically re- Ironstone shales, or the lithological features of the 



cognisable Ironstone 



shales or Eaniganjs. Raniganj group. It may be, however, that the 



whole, or a portion, of the Kamthi series represents 

 them in time. 



As all the workable coal which has been found, or is likely to be found, 

 in the Wardha field, is contained in the Barakar group, I shall describe 

 as fully as I can its distribution and its composition, and also indicate, 

 for the benefit of those who may wish to become proprietors of coal 

 lands, the positions best suited to their purpose. Such suggestions do 

 not, as a rule, form part of a geological memoir, but I believe they 

 will prove useful to venturers in a field so little known as that of the 

 Wardha valley. 



The knowledge acquired of the composition of the rocks and their 

 order of succession, is due far more to the details ascertained by borings, 

 than to any natural sections; for, with the exception of one in the Wardha 

 river near the boundary separating the lands of Ghugus, from those of 

 Chandur, and another near Telwasa, there is not a connected exposure of 

 the group in any part of the field. 



The general order of succession is (descending) : — 



1. Thick seam of coal. 



2. Sandstones and shales. 



3. A few thin carbonaceous beds. 



4. Sandstones and shales. 

 Talchirs. 



The above section was proved to hold good wherever bore-holes were 

 carried down through the entire series. There is a horizon of coal at the 

 top or near the top of the group, but it seldom appears at the outcrop 

 junction of the Barakars and Kamtbis, owing to its being usually over- 

 lapped. 



( 19 ) 



