LATERITIC ROCKS. 87 



the larger area, and is generally only 3 or 4 feet thick, and fre- 

 quently pierced by rugged masses of the underlying gneiss. Only 

 a few of the larger protrusions of gneiss could be shown on the 

 map. The soil is almost everywhere of an intensely red colour, and 

 where the water-supply is sufficient, of very considerable fertility. The 

 lively contrast between the bright red soil and green jungle or fields 

 gives this tract of country an eminently cheerful appearance. 



In the south-western parts of the area, much of the lateritic gravel 

 has been formed of washed-up purple sandstone and grit of Rajmahal 

 age. Both rocks were highly ferruginous (haematitic), and in some 

 fragments are to be found remains of the typical fossil plants. This is 

 particularly the case between Razpalem (Razpolliam), Chinna Latarapy, 

 and Peddavaram (Peddawarrum), where the lateritic deposits often rest 

 upon Rajmahal rocks. Near Ramapatam the laterite, which is there a 

 typical conglomerate, shows an easterly dip of from 2° to 3°. It contains 

 no foreign substances, but a few quartz fragments; but further west, 

 between Potelur and Gudlur (Goodloor), it includes many angular quartz 

 fragments, some of quartzite (broken pebbles) and a number of rather 

 Chipped stone imple- P oor ly m ad<3 chipped implements and flakes, also 

 * nents " of quartzite. Though generally thin, the lateritic 



beds here and there show considerable thickness ; as at Allampuram, east 

 of Chinna Latarapy, where from 12 to 15 feet of intensely ferruginous 

 gravel is cut through by a well-section. The conglomeratic form was 

 specially noted near Lutchmepuram in the south of the area, and near 

 Virapalle (Veerapully) and Bhimavaram (Beemawaram) in the north. 

 The most striking and typical development of massive laterite conglo- 

 merate in this region is to be seen in a low hill immediately east of the 

 great northern road and 3 miles north-west of Ramapatam. It is more 

 clayey and less ferruginous than much of the conglomerate seen else- 

 where. 



2. The Kandukur area. — The lateritic formations within this area 



are principally sands and gravels. Conglomerates 

 The Kandukur area. # 



are rare, the only really striking examples being 



( 37 ) 



