• PANCHET SERIES. . 69 



The mineral characters of the sandstones are different from those of 



,,. , , any of the series hitherto described. The matrix 



Mineral characters. 



is highly ferruginous and siliceous^ and contains 

 pebbles of perfectly pelucid quartz imbedded in it. Throughout the 

 whole of the upper Panchdts, there is a great display of iron ; and many 

 of the sandstones are so hardened and compacted by it^ that they ring 

 loudly and clearly whenever struck. Usually the sandstones are strongly 

 jointed. This character is rendered prominent by the sides of the 

 joints becoming coated with iron, which hardens them and consequently 

 causes them to stand up higher than the main surface of the bed. 

 The true relation of this group to the underlying Panchets cannot be 

 definitely settled until its strata are traced across the country^ and 

 brought into connection with their supposed representatives. If^ how- 

 ever^ lithological character could be trusted, there would seem to be a 

 probability that the upper Panchets of this field^ of the Raneegunj, and 

 of the Karunpoora, are the equivalents of the rocks described in the 

 report of the Nerbudda Yalley as Mahadevas.^ The physical contour 

 of the hills in the two areas is also similar. 



With the above brief notice of the highest rocks in the fields the 

 more purely geological portion of this Memoir closes. It was considered 

 premature to enter into a discussion as to the probable ancient geography 

 of the country occupied by the coal measures, until a larger area of 

 ground had been surveyed, and a more ample array of facts collected. 



V. — Economic Summaey, 



Dr. Oldham has already, in the return of the coal resources of 

 Indiaj called for by the Secretary of State for India, alluded to the 

 probable amount of available fuel which the Bokaro Field can yield, 

 namely, 1,500 millions of tons. The whole of this coal is furnished by 



* Memoirs of Geological Survey, India, Vol. II. 



( 107 ) 



