TliK COAL OF ASSAM. 15 



an abancloned quarry. It is not on the same seam, being capped by 

 shaly carbonaceous clay j and i he scarp does not rise for some yards 

 behind it : the nature or condition of the seam is not now traceable. On 

 the right bank of the Desang, under Borehaut, I got a tolerably 

 continuous view of the band. The section is oblique to the strike and 

 low, tlie hills being here cut back in the bay of the gorge. The dip is high, 

 and variable in amount and direction, there being also much crashing. 

 On a length of about 100 yards, which may not include the whole band, 

 there seem to be nine coal outcrops, four of which are apparently thick 

 and of fair quality. The associated rocks are principally shaly carbo- 

 naceous clays, with sandstones. There is evidently in this section 

 independently of any identification with the Terap coal-measures, 

 ample encouragement for the further exploration of the Jaipoor field. 

 Several seams exist that have never been touched. The one at Jaipoor 

 seems to be the topmost of the group, and is not likely to be a favor- 

 able sample of the whole; it even has not been fairly tried; in 

 other positions, or when properly worked, it may prove of excellent 

 quality; and as the highest bed in the field, it will always, under the 

 conditions of the section, present greater facilities for working. But 

 better seams may with much confidence be expected below it, especially 

 on the supposition of the identity of the two fields. The general 

 placement is the same as in the eastern field, along the base of the 

 range, towards which the beds dip at a high angle ; and the simplest 

 mode of exploring would be the same for both — to seek some point where 

 the coal-bearing band reaches as high as possible on the ridge, probably 

 where the range is most prominent, and to make a cut across the strike.^ 



* The question of the geological identity of these two coal-rocks involves some 



considerations aflecting the estimate to be formed of the 



rae"lm"e?probS"^ °^ ^^^ Prospects in each. The confirmation of this identity would 



certainly be most encouraging to success in the Jaipoor region. 



I have not seen any thing in this field so promising as what is well seen in the Terap 



and Namchik sections. On the other hand, (his identification would entail serious 



( toi ) 



