CRETACEOUS SERIES. ^^ 



localities they might furnish the most complete confirmation for the 

 distribution of the conglomeritic deposit as suggested in the preceding 

 paragraph. In the Cherra band itself I have not anywhere seen 

 carbonaceous remains ; but in the calcareous, and undoubtedly marine 

 beds next below it specks and fragments of carbonized vegetable matter 

 are very common. This question of the range of the carbonaceous 

 deposits may be successfully investigated in the region of the Umblai, 

 some thirty miles to westwards, where according to the observations of 

 Captain Godwin- Austen, who is conducting the topographical survey 

 of the hiU region, they have a much greater development, both horizon- 

 tal and vertical. 



North of Cherra Punji the final rapid thinning out and isolation of 

 the cretaceous deposits and the total disappearance of the nummulitie 

 strata are local features connected, through denudation, with the 

 distribution of the supporting rocks. There is a steady line of jimction, 

 running north-north-west from Surarim, of coarse granite on the west with 

 the Shillong series on the east. The former was more decomposable 

 and more denuded than the latter. The distribution of the cretaceous 

 strata within the area of the Shillong series is connected with similar 

 causes : these newer strata occur in pre -cretaceous valleys in the run of 

 the schists and of the eruptive rock, the higher ground being formed of the 

 hard quartzites of the same metamorphic series. These features are well 

 exposed on the three ridges of Laisoplia, Maobelarka, and Maokaleng. 

 On the latter the whole series is stopped out near the village of Kokon ; 

 and the best view-sections are there obtainable, on the sides of the steep 

 gorge to the east of the village, of the banking up of the strong con- 

 glomerates and sandstones against the rise of the quartzites. The 

 Cherra band is continuousl;;^ traceable from the south, and at many points 

 passes up over the quartzites, quite overlapping the massive conglomerates. 

 The little coal basin of Maobelarka is not strictly an outlier ; there 

 is a narrow neck of the conglomerate and the sandstone connecting it 



( 173 ) 



