12 T^HE COAL OF ASSAM. 



chief argument I have to put forward why it may uot remain so involves 



a double probability — the identity of the Jaipoor rocks, and the uncertain 



(however presumable) permanence of development. 



The condition of the seam worked near the Terap is somewhat 



singular. All the coal hitherto removed has been 

 The Terap Section. , i • i i • , . . 



from a bed in a nearly horizontal position, and 



covered only by superficial deposits. The quarry presents an east face, 

 more than 20 yards long", showing- at the base a minimum thickness of 

 5 feet of clear bright coal ; the top of this is an irregular denudation 

 surface, remnants of the overlying shale being here and there seen. Over 

 all there is about 10 feet of stiff yellow clay, in which, sometimes rest- 

 ing on the coal, are some very large subangular blocks of the sandstones 

 which form the ridge immediately to the south. The perfectly undeteri- 

 orated condition of the coal in contact with the clay is remarkable ; but 

 indeed, under the shelter of the dense forests in these regions, bare out- 

 crops are found in the same state. There is still to the westward much 

 eoal in about the same condition as that described. At a few yards 

 north of the quarry a low northerly dip takes the coal under ground ; 

 and immediately to the south it passes into the base of the abrupt ridge, 

 with a decided southerly dip. Unless in fresh artificial cuttings, good 

 rock sections are. very rare in Assam ; the indications I obtained on the 

 steep hill-side above the coal-quarry are, however, sufficient to satisfy me 

 that the coal at the base is no isolated occurrence. For at least 

 200 feet shaly carbonaceous clays form a large element of the section, 

 and among them I noticed at least two beds of good looking coal; 

 sandstones succeed, forming all the upper part of the ridge. Throughout 

 all the southerly dip is maintained. This circumstance of placement 

 gives a speoial value to the Terap locality ; for, as far as I have seen, 

 the general condition of these rocks is one of great disturbance. It 

 would be a very light work to clear a complete section of these rocks 

 on the hill side, an operation which would naturally be the first to 

 suggest itself to any one undertaking to work the coal. 

 ( 398 ) 



