276 MIDNAPOKE, OEISSA, &C. 



the ground between ; other ranges more or less obliterated occurring 

 farther inland. On the inner range there is almost always vegeta- 

 tion, and it seems to serve as a boundary for the barren land, which 

 is prevented from being covered with grass, by sand from the sea 



being continually, in high winds, blown upon 

 Mark old coast lines. 



it. There can be little doubt, that each range 



of sand hills marks an old sea coast, and it seems probable that 



the sea has retired, that is, that the land has been elevated not 



continuously, and uniformly, but at intervals, and by interrupted 



lifts. 



The evidences of the gradual rise of land in Orissa are numerous. 



It is probable that the cliff-like escarpment of the 

 Gradual rise of land. 



Nilgiri range, and the clusters of isolated hills 



evidently once islands, which dot the province, have been brought to 

 nearly their present form by denudation of an ancient date. But that 

 a more recent agency has also tended to modify "their shape, seems 

 shewn by the laterite conglomerate. But these are no evidence of a 

 recent rise of land. Within the memory of man, however, the tide 

 came further up the rivers than it now does, so much so, that the export 

 salt golahs had to be moved farther down the Brahmini. This may, how- 

 ever, be merely due to the raising of the delta by fluviatile deposits. 

 It is said, that the Black Pagoda, when first built, was on the shore ; 

 now it is two miles inland, and on the inner row of sand hills, above 

 mentioned ; a fact which renders it probable that it was originally built 

 close to the sea. It is also stated by the natives that Balasore was once 

 on the shore, but it seems doubtful if such can have been the case in 

 historical times. 



Economic Geology. — The rock most generally employed for building 



purposes in these districts is " Laterite." This 

 Building stones. 



is largely used in the construction of the walls of 



houses, and in buildings also of greater pretension. Few rocks present 



