BARAKAR GROUP. 43 



To this basal zone the whole of the coal is confined, and not only is 



^ , there this contrast with the state of things inst 



Coal zone. , o j 



described, but the coal seams are themselves of a 

 completely different character. Instead of the thick irregular seams, 

 which consist largely of carbonaceous shales as above described, we here 

 meet with seams which are generally thin, sometimes lenticular, and 

 consisting of a more compact and uniform material which is sometimes 

 a high class fuel. These seams are parted from each other by massive 

 beds of sandstone, the whole being contained in a zone, very possibly not 

 exceeding 200 feet in thickness, which exists as a margin, internal to 

 the Talchirs, all round the western portion of the field, except at those 

 points where it has been cut off by faults. 



On the right or eastern side of the Koel river the high ground is 

 formed of sandstone grits and conglomerates, which, as has been above 

 stated, overlap on to the Talchirs at the eastern end of the area. At 

 one time I was inclined to suppose that some ferruginous beds which 

 occur near and at the top of the rocks forming these highlands mio-ht 

 possibly belong to the Mahadeva series, but I was afterwards compelled 

 to class them all as Barakars. 



The thickness o£ the group as now existing in this portion of the field 



is probably under 600 feet. West of the Koel a 



Thickness west of „ • i i. i i ji , . 



Koel. curious cJiange takes place, the upper overlappmo- 



zone of sandstones and conglomerates thins out and 

 no longer forms hills and plateaux. In the extreme west it is represented 

 by but a narrow zone of sandstones and conglomerates which overlies the 



coal-bearing zone, and is overlaid by a considerable 

 Koel^bnomal.^^^ ° but varying thickness of beds forming a syncHnal 



basin, and of which the determination of the age 

 and affinities has been a considerable source of doubt and difficulty. 

 Though in places somewhat resembling true Barakars, their more 

 constant lithological characters may' be described as being unique. 

 They consist of coarse grits and conglomerates, the latter containing not 

 uufrequently fragments of metamorphic rocks, and not being composed 



( 43 ) 



