132 EAKIGANJ COAL FIELD. [ChAP. VI. 



Chapter VI.- — On the relations of the Panchet to other groups of 

 rocks in Bengal and Central India. 



The subject of the relations of the rocks of Bengal and Central 

 India having already been amply treated in these Memoirs, by Dr. 

 Oldham,* in a paper written at the time when the Raniganj field was 

 undergoing re-examination, nothing remains, except to show what addi- 

 tional lights have been added by the various observations, whose results 

 have been detailed in the preceding pages. The subject of the rela- 

 tions of the Raniganj and of the Lower Damuda series has already been 

 discussed, as far as is possible, until a more thorough examination of the 

 fossils be made, than has yet been possible. The most important point, 

 therefore, which remains, is the relations of the Panchet series. 



The different groups as yet known associated with the coal bearing beds 

 of Bengal and Central India are the following, in descending order : — 



1. Mahadevas, with sub-group of Lameta beds. 



2. Bajmahals. 



3. Upper Damudas of Jabalpur and Central India. 



4. Lower Damudas. 



5. Talchirs. 



The characteristic fossils, wherever any are known, being in all cases 

 vegetable. The distinguishing forms of plants in the Lower Damuda, 

 Upper Damuda, and Rajmahal groups, may be briefly expressed as 

 Vertebraria and Glossopteris in the first, Conifera and Lycopodiacece 

 and Cycadeacece. in the second, Cycadeacece (Palceozamia and Pterophyl- 

 lum) and Tceniopteris in the third ; but thetre is a considerable generic, 

 and some specific resemblance, between the Upper Damuda groups of the 

 Nerbudda and the Rajmahal group, while there is none between either 

 of those groups and the Lower Damuda — so far at least as now known. 



* Mem. Geological Survey in India, Vol. LL, page 299. — On the Geological relations and 

 probable Geological age of the several systems of rocks in Central India and Bengal. 



