DECCA.N TRAP. 199 



yard in thickness (possibly a little more), and is not thoroughly conti- 

 nuous, but rather an assemblage of large blocks lying near each other 

 at the same level. The chert is of variable color^ from mottled whitish- 

 grey to yellowish-brown. Some blocks show a more chalcedonic character, 

 with patches of delicate whitish-blue or peach color. The bed seems 

 entirely broken up by atmospheric agencies, and the ground is covered 

 thickly with chert debris to considerable distances beyond the real limits 

 of the plateau. 



No trace of organic remains could be discovered by the naked eye, 

 but from the truly bedded character of the bed at Bantanoor the sub- 

 aqueous origin of the chert cannot be doubted, and it is more than 

 probable that fossils may yet be found imbedded in it."^ 



The degradation of chert beds of very similar character has con- 

 tributed to the formation of the large beds of chert gravel to be seen in 

 the old alluvium of the Krishna and Bhima rivers. 



* The occurrence of blocks of highly cherty limestone lying detached on the surface 

 of the trap on Ingleswara hill near Bagewari, 25 miles west-by-north of Shellugi hill, was 

 noted by Captain Newbold (Notes between Masulipatam and Goa, J.A.S.B. xiii, p. 1002,) 

 who also pointed out its resemblance to the fresh-water limestones of Nirmal, Munapalle, 

 and Kulkonda, between Gulbarga and Mactul (Muctul). 



( 199 ) 



