CRETACEOUS SERIES. 



25 



along the sides of the valley it becomes apparent that the sandstone 

 overljdng the coal at Maobelarka represents the Cherra band. But if 

 this should be considered inconclusively proved^ we have in the character 

 of the coal itself a strong confirmation of the position — it is very different 

 from all the nummulitic coal. The latter has constantly very much 

 the aspect of ordinary bituminous coal — the cuboidal structure and 

 the half-stony sound when struck. The Maobelarka coal is compact, 

 splintery, with smooth conchoidal fracture, and a woody sound ; a fine 

 lamination is traceable, and there is commonly an irregularly prismoidal 

 structure across the bedding. It has the further peculiarity of con- 

 taining numerous specks and small nests of fossil resin. These characters 

 would not of themselves be conclusive as to the non-nummulitic age of 

 this coal, even though in strong contrast with the other coals of this 

 formation; but they become so when they correspond exactly with 

 the characters of the undoubted cretaceous coal of the Garo district, 

 as I found to be the case. 



The extent of the deposit at Maobelarka is very limited. It shows 

 on both sides of a small valley cut out of the sandstone on the eastern 

 side of the narrow ridge. It is only on the southern outcrop that it has 

 been opened to any extent ; the section consists of — 



Sandstone 

 Carbonaceous Shale 

 Poor Coal ... 



Shale ... 

 Close-grained batt . . . 

 Coal 



Feet. 



1 



lto2 



2 



1 



3 to 4 



8 to 10 



At the other outcrop, forty yards off, these layers seem still fairly 

 represented ; but at fifty yards to the north-west a rib of quartzite weathers 

 out along the crest of the ridge, and probably continues through the 

 sandstone to the west of, and at a higher level, than the coal, stopping 

 it out completely ; for in the cliff on the west side of the ridge and not 



{ 175 ) 



