134 EANIGANJ COAL FIELD. [CHAP. VI. 



disturbed, and afterwards trap dykes were introduced into them, which 

 were very possibly of Rajmahal age.* 



Such being the probable relations of the Panchet group to the other 

 beds of Bengal, the question arises as to their connexion, if any, with 

 the rocks of Central India. 



To the " Upper Damuda group" of the Narbadda, Dr. Oldhamf is 

 inclined to assign an age nearly equivalent to that of the Rajmahals, 

 but rather older. This would place them nearly on the same 

 Geological horizon as has been above shown to be, in all probability, 

 that of the Panchet beds. It is possible that the formations may be 

 identical, but of this there is no indication in their floras, which are 

 certainly fragmentary in both cases as yet.f And the absence of 

 Cycadeee and presence of Schizoneura tend much to induce the belief 

 that the Panchet group is older than the " Upper Damtida." 



The relations of the Mangali shales of Mr. Hislop,§ with the Damuda 

 rocks, are not quite certain, but they are probably higher in the general 

 series. The remains contained in them show an interesting case of 

 resemblance with those in the Panchet series. Of the plants obtained 

 from Mangali no description has appeared ; but the animal remains 

 comprise a reptile (Brachiops laticeps, Owen), fish, and Estheria. Of the 

 latter, specimens have been presented by Mr. Hislop to the Geologi- 

 cal Museum in Calcutta ; and they appear to comprise two species, the 

 smaller of which is undistinguishable from those found in the Panchet 

 beds. 



* See below, Chapters VIII. and IX. 



f Memoirs, Vol. II., page 324. 



$ The fossil evidence scarcely proves more than an approach to the same age, in the 

 case of the Kajmahal and Upper Damuda groups. In the absence of any connexion 

 between the last named beds and the Lower Damudas, it appears by no means absolutely 

 impossible that the " Upper Damuda" rocks might be even a little higher than the Kajmahal 

 group. 



§ Quart. Journal, Geo. Soc. Lon., Vol. XL, page 370. 



