MIDNAPORE, OKISSA, &C. 275 



very generally accompanies it ; but this is also, though in a somewhat 

 less degree pretty generally distributed in the more recent alluvium 

 alsOj and in some places the nodules are very large. 

 It is extremely difficult to separate the two varieties, as they frequent- 

 ly pass into each other by insensible gradation 

 Difficult to separate. . 



and m some places laterite may be found beneath 



the soil in a perfectly flat country, in which every thing induces the 



belief that the alluvium is recent. 



On the southern bank of the Chilka Lake in one or two places at an 



elevation of 20 to 30 feet above the present flood level is found a bed of 



mud with shells.* A similar deposit occurs at 

 Shells in alluvium. 



some places on the spit between the Cliilka and 



. the sea. The shells ( Cytherea casta and Area granosa) are marine and 

 do not, so far as ascertained, at present inhabit the Chilka Lake, 

 although one of them the Cytherea casta is common in the estuary con- 

 necting the Lake and the sea. On the other hand, the shells now 

 abounding in the Chilka, as for example Cerithium Jiuviatile and Modiola 

 emarginata do not occur in this deposit. This affords evidence of an 

 elevation of the land, since the recent period, when the Chilka had 

 freer communication with the sea, than it, at present, has. 



As a general rule, however, all the alluvial deposits are unfossiliferous ; 

 the only shells that are seen are a few fresh water mollusca, common 

 in rice fields and marshes. 



Blown sand. — Blown sand occurs along all parts of this coast which 

 face the south-east. In some cases, these sand hills cover a considerable 

 tract, as near Pooree, where they are two or three miles across. When 

 such is the case, their area is generally bounded on each side, towards 



the land, and towards the sea, by a range low 

 Ranges of sand hills. 



(60 to 80 feet at the most) but still higher than 



* These are collected and burned for lime. 



