1834.] Geology of the Country between Hoshungabad $c. 71 



HI. — A Summary Description of the Geology of the country between Hos- 

 hungabad on the Nerbudda, and Nagpoor, by the direction of Baitool. 



By Lieut. JohnFinnis, 5lst Regt. Asst. Exec. Offr. \Ath Divn. 

 [Presented to the Asiatic Society, 15th July 1829*.] 



The route between Nagpoor and Hoshungabad presents as great a 

 variety of formations and as interesting a series of minerals, as is pro- 

 bably to be met with in any part of India of equal extent. 



The formations exhibited are trappean, primitive, transition, and 

 secondary, frequently under a very peculiar and confused arrangement 

 with regard to each other, and much intersected by veins of green- 

 stone and trap. 



I regret that the circumstances of my march did not allow a more 

 leisurely survey of the geology of a country so well deserving the atten- 

 tion of more competent geologists, or of forming a more regular map 

 of the road described ; but I shall hope that my sketches may help to 

 connect the descriptions of other observers, the present route being, I 

 believe, unexplored. 



The formations appear to be distinctly divided into five principal 

 divisions. 



The first division includes the tract of country lying between Nag- 

 poor and Baitool to the south bank of the Machna river. 



An unvaried formation of trap occurs during the whole of this dis- 

 tance, and the face of the country is covered with round wacken boul- 

 ders. 



The trap forms the southern and eastern boundaries of the valley, 

 and it stretches away to the S. W., but its extent in this direction and 

 to the E., I am not acquainted with. 



2nd Division. — The second division comprises the space within th© 

 southern and northern ghats on the Machna. 



This river at Baitool is running to the west, and after winding 

 round some hills it re-crosses the road, running east to join the Towa 

 river at Shahpoor. The distance is about 27 miles, the intermediate 

 country, hilly. 



On the N. bank of the Machna at Baitool, trap no longer appears ; it 

 is followed by strata of quartz and mica schist, traversing the plain up 

 to the hills north of cantonments. These are of quartz, brittle, very 



* We have taken occasion to publish this interesting account of the geology of 

 the country south of Hoshungabad, in juxta position with Lieut. Miles' paper, for the 

 advantage of incorporating the two route surveys furnished by these officers, in 

 one map. Some apology is due to Lieut. Finnis for the delay which has occurred 

 in bringing his labours to the notice of the public. — Ed. 



