Chap. IY. § 4.] raniganj group. 79 



has been paid to the elucidation of this point during the progress 

 of the Survey, but the conclusions arrived at are purely of a negative 

 character. There is no direct evidence to the effect that the Damudas 

 extend further East than the neighborhood of Andal and Ukra. 

 But neither is there any evidence, direct or indirect, to show that they 

 are here cut off ; indeed, if they were so, and the hard metamorphic 

 rocks succeeded them, it is probable that hills of the latter would jut 

 up somewhere within the extensive laterite area, which stretches 

 from Raniganj to the neighborhood of Burdwan. The field is at its 

 widest where it disappears beneath the alluvial deposits, and, although 

 there is nothing in the least improbable in the occurrence of a fault a 

 short distance to the East, which may cut out all the Damuda rocks, not 

 the slightest indication of such a phenomenon exists. Nor is it pro- 

 bable that the sandstones of Khyrasol and Kaliptir are in that place of 

 any great thickness, and a boring, to the depth of 200 or 300 feet, would 

 probably suffice to ascertain the presence or absence of the Damuda 

 rocks beneath them. At the extreme East of the field, the coal at 

 Harisptir colliery is of excellent quality, and lying nearly horizontal, 

 so as to be easy to work, and there can be little doubt that coal 

 seams equally valuable will be found further East, if the ground be 

 properly and systematically explored by sinkings or borings. How far 

 East they may be found, is impossible to say. 



It is stated by Mr. "Williams* that coal was found at Janjura, about 

 2 miles East of Ukra, at a depth of only 20 feet from the surface. 

 No details are given, and enquiries upon the spot have failed in ascer- 

 taining any facts, either in confirmation or contradiction of the statement. 

 There is nothing improbable in the circumstance, but Mr. Williams 

 does not state whence he derived his information. 



Keport, page 20. 



