10 PRELIMINARY NOTICE ON THE 



tain the real state of the case, to see wliat prospects the district really 

 offered, and what steps it would be proper to take for opening out its 

 hitherto almost inaccessible jungles to the steady march of industry. 

 Whatever the results should be, whether favorable or otherwise, it was 

 to be hoped that the question, which for nearly fifteen years had been 

 constantly recurring, might at last receive some definite reply, and that 

 thus the energy annually devoted to re-opening matters previously 

 decided might be more profitably applied to other and more valuable 

 pursuits. With this view, and at the earnest request of the Honorable the 



Geological Survey par- Lieutenant-Governor of Bengal, Messrs. Blanford 

 ties despatched. ^^^ Theobald were despatched to the district of 



Cuttack during last cold season, and the result of their labors is given 

 in the accompanying Report ; and having thus briefly recounted the 

 knowledge previously accessible, I would now as briefly state the principal 

 results of their detailed examination. 



And, first, with regard to coal. It is to be regretted that no beds 

 „ ,^ .^, . . of workable coal have been found in this Dis- 



Results of their enquiry. 

 Coal, trict. 



■ The extent of area, over which they could be looked for with any pros- 

 pect of success, has been defined, and the general character of the rocks 

 which occur within that area ascertained. These carbonaceous beds 

 moreover, wherever they are seen, present a character so constant, that 

 it appears highly improbable that any workable coal may be hereafter 

 discovered. 



Connected with this subject, a very mistaken idea appears to be pre- 

 valent in this country — an idea which is not alto- 



Krroneous notions about i i <■ i • i n 



Burface appearances of gether unnatural, and tor which some confirma- 

 tion may apparently be derived from the unguarded 

 statements of some writers. It is constantly observed, and by many 

 firmly believed, that, although coal beds may appear useless and inferior 

 at or near the surface, they may confidently be expected to increase in 



