1833.] Geological Remarks, &c. 475 
IIl.—Some Geological Remarks made in the country between Mirzaptr 
and Sagar, and from Sdgar Northwards to the Jamna. By the Rev. 
R. Everest, F. G. S. &c. 
Mirzapir is situated on a kankar bank on the southern side of the 
Ganges, and somewhat higher above the level of the water than 
these banks usually are. The steep side of it, towards the river, shows 
a section of strata similar to what is usually observed in this formation, 
viz. beds of clay and calcareous mar] of different colours with nodules 
of limestone imbedded in them. The lowermost of these beds exhibit 
some inclination and faults in particular places, which indicate that 
they have suffered some disturbance since their deposition. Upon 
these the upper beds rest horizontally and unconformably. One or two 
casts of shells (apparently fresh-water) and some small fragments of 
vegetable stems, were the only remains I could observe. But the 
appearance of the kankar nodules here marks more strongly their 
origin than in any place I have yet seen. They are mostly of 
the form of stalactites, from the size of a finger to that of a wrist in 
thickness, and, when broken, shew a compact, splintery, bluish-grey 
limestone, with occasionally minute scales of silvery mica disseminated 
through it. Occasionally too they are dependent from the roofs of 
small cavities in the clay-beds, and at other times spread out into 
layers, so as to form a complete seam of limestone. Before quitting 
the subject of kankar, I wish to notice a remark I have sometimes 
heard made, that probably the formation of kankar is yet going on. 
Mr. PippineTon alludes to this in his remarks on the silt deposited by 
the river Hugli, and from his analysis it would appear that the quan- 
tity of carbonate of lime in the silt is considerable. That kankar may 
be yet forming in many places where calcareous springs are now 
running, cannot admit of doubt; but that it is at present depositing 
from the waters of the Hugli or Ganges I am inclined to disbelieve. 
For, were this actually the case, we might expect to find kankar on 
low tracts that had been flooded, after the retiring of the annual inun- 
dations ; whereas the very reverse of this happens. Asfar as my experi- 
ence goes, kankar is never found on the low grounds that are inundat- 
ed. On the contrary the kankar banks are the only parts of the 
country that remain several feet above the level of the highest floods*. 
* Considerable deposits, however, of saline matter are to be found on lands 
overflowed by the Jumna, when the rains are over ; which, of course, are a recent 
formation: but the saline deposits, as I have noticed elsewhere, are usually above 
the present level of the floods, 
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