MIDNAPOEE, ORISSA, &C. 265 



Throughout this small area, there is a prevalent dip, to the east and 

 south-east at low angles not exceeding 5° or 6". 

 The whole area is surrounded by flats of laterite 

 and alluvium, so that very little can be ascertained concerning the rela- 

 tions of these sandstones to the underlying rocks. It is impossible 

 therefore to say whether they are let in by faults or not. Towards the 

 eastern edge, they are generally covered up by laterite. 



It has b^en already suggested* that these beds probably belong to the 



Mahadeva group, or, at least, to the rocks sup- 

 Age. 



posed to represent that group in the Talcheer 



basin. They certainly resemble those rocks, in their lithological charac- 

 ter, more than any other described beds of the neighbouring district. 

 At the same time, it must be remembered that a similarity in mineral 

 character, in the case of such beds as coarse sandstones is insufficient 

 alone to establish clearly the connection between the rocks, in two distinct 

 areas separated by sixty miles of intervening country, which space, 

 so far as is known, is entirely devoid of any outlying, or detach- 

 ed portions of similar beds. While, therefore, it appears that the 

 information at present in our possession tends to connect the rocks of the 

 Atgurh basin with the Mahadeva series, rather than with any other 

 fenown rocks, that information is still far from sufficient to warrant the 

 expression of a decided opinion as to their identity. In both places, the 

 rocks are unfossiliferous, and in the absence of rocks in this Kuttak 

 basin belonging to the Damuda or Talcheer age, which would afford evi- 

 dence of superposition, mineral character alone remains. 



Laterite, &c — Although the lateritic and associated rocks or sands 



and gravels, no where within the limits of the 

 Laterite. . _ . 



district of Bancoorah, assume the same importance 



as more to the south in Midnapore or Orissa, they still constitute a very 



marked feature. 



* Report on Talcheer Coal Field — afte, page 68. 



■ C 



