274 



MIDNAPORE, ORJSSA, &C. 



Dips to east, rises to i* seems to be covered up by the alluvium. To- 

 "^^''' • wards the west, on the contrary, it rises to a height 



sometimes of 60 to 80 feet above the plain, and outliers of it occur upon the 

 surface of the gneiss or sandstone. Laterite even caps some of the low- 

 sandstone hills upon the Mahanuddi, as is seen near Naraj and Bolpada, 

 yet somewhat further west it recurs in the lower ground forming an 

 extensive plain which bounds the sandstone on its northern and north- 

 western edge. This plain, however, being at some distance from the 

 river, while the previously mentioned localities are on its bank, may not 

 really be lower than they are, although it ap pears to be so. 



The accompanying Sketch section will serve to illustrate the relations 

 of the alluvium, the laterite, and the metamorphic rocks. 



Fig. 1. Sketch-section shewing the apparent relations of the Alluvium, the Laterite 

 and the Metamorphic Kocks. 



Near Chilka Lake. 



mmmmmm 



a, alluvium ; b, laterite ; c, gneiss, &e. 



The depth to which this rock extends is very variable. Frequently 



30 to 40 feet are exposed, and there are hills of it 

 Thickness of Laterite. 



at least 80 feet hi^h. 



Towards the south-west end of the .Chilka Lake no laterite occurs 

 although the general form of the country is similar 

 to that further to the north-east. The undulating 

 ground is here composed of gneissose rocks. As this district of Ganjam 

 however has not yet been closely examined, tlie absence may be account- 

 ed for by a closer survey. 



Alluvium. — Of the two kinds of alluvial deposits to which allusion 

 has already been made, little need be said. The older is distinguished 

 by being more sandy, and probably always con- 

 taining more or less laterite gravel. The country 

 covered by it is undulating, the surface having been modified by denuda- 

 tion, and the newer alluvium occurring in the river valleys — kunkur 



Two kinds. 



