OP WESTERN AND CENTRAL INDIA. 9 



volcanic nuclei on the lower Nerbudda, and several in Cutehj* but 

 over the Deccan area, it is difficult to conceive where the centres of 

 eruption can have been situated. In the Rajpipla hills, between the Taptec 

 and Nerbudda, the numerous large dykes, and the disturbance which 

 the traps have undergone, are evidences of a great centre of volcanic 

 energy, and there may be other similar foci elsewhere, but I am un- 

 acquainted with them. The paucity of dykes in the Deccan is remark- 

 able. Still they do occur and were noted by Sykes. Thaalmost universal 

 distribution of volcanic ash containing large angular blocks apparently 

 showered out from volcanoes, and which cannot have accumulated far 

 from actual vents, proves that these vents must have existed throughout 

 the country; but it is very remarkable that in no single instance have 

 the inclined beds of any cone been found preserved, enveloped by sub- 

 sequent horizontal flows. 



7. Tke Deccan and Malwa traps not of sub-marine origin. — It 

 appears to have been a favorite idea with many geologists that the 

 Deccan and Malwa traps were originally deposited beneath the sea. In 

 favOr of this hypothesis I can find no evidence whatever. Mr. Hislop 

 has shown reasons for objecting to it,t and I should not have referred to 

 it here had it not been supported by Captain Newbold,J who is, in many 

 respects, the best informed and most logical of all the earlier Indian 

 geologists. His arguments are-— 



\st. — The absence of cones and craters of elevation : 



Ind, — Its (the trap's) usual compact structure : 



3r^. — The want of conformity of the trap to the lowest level 



of existing valleys : ' 



A^tJi. — The occasional intercalation of marine beds. 



* .The so-called volcano, of Denodui; I believe to be one. 

 t Quar. Jour. Geol. Soc, Vol. XI, p. 368. 

 J, Jour. Roy. As, Soc, Vol. IX, p. 42. 



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