KHASI HILLS. 135 



dn tte more earthy beds they become distinct, and easily recogniza- 

 ble. In the lower beds small, nearly globular, echini (Echinolampas) 

 are abundant, associated with turrited gasteropoda (Cerithiwm, Tur- 

 ritelld, &c.) occasionally of good size. Above this, small corals with 

 nummulites, principally B. spira, are more prevalent, while in the 

 upper layers there is a greater variety of shells. Pectens of stnall size 

 •and invariably in single valves occur; also Turritella, Naticse, Patella (?) 

 associated with Nummulites. The latter go through the entire series 

 of beds. 



The limestone beds stretch with an irregular outline, but with a 



similar blufif escarpment throughout, Westwards to 

 Extent of limestone. 



near the village of Mawm'luh. From this the 

 outcrop turns again Eastwards, and passes to near Mawsmai. Along 

 this face, and more especially towards Mawsmai, the limestone cliflFs 

 •are much less regular, being broken up by numerous fallen masses, which 

 stretch out from the main mass of the rock, and are thrown into 

 the most irregular and fantastic outlines ; the beauty of which is greatly 

 increased by the curious shapes mto which the masses decompose, and 

 by the richly-varied tints, which the moss-clothed rocks present. The 

 whole is thickly covered with wood. Again, turning Northwards towards 

 Cherra, the mass of the limestone has been denuded along the depression 

 through which the road passes, and is found in a small detached outlier 

 to the East of it. 



We shall notice again the direction of some of these cliffs of lime- 

 stone, aud the probable cause of this direction. 

 Direction of escarpment. 



Parallel to the principal faces of these escarpments 



we find a series of jointing planes or fissures, accompanied by slight 

 disturbances in the position of the beds. Some of these are well 

 seen along the face of the cliffs Wesi of the station, and produce very 

 beautiful pictorial effects, the fern-clad sides of the deep clefts being 

 brought strongly into contrast with the sunless depths of the chink 



