1869.] Geological Notes on the Khasi Hills. 21 



New-Nongkulang. The Shibak stream was now quite close, flowing 

 over the slightly sloping surface of the lower sands, and striking the 

 edges and the termination of the limestone, which also marked that of 

 the forest. This valley of the Shibak was for a long time a very great 

 puzzle. In no direction could I see any likely depression in the 

 forest-clad heights about, where the united streams of Shibak (the 

 Wakit from under and north of Yindku, and the Umpernon and others) 

 might find their way to the plains. 



The conspicuous cliff of Kuta Bram. was the only open point in 

 the neighbourhood, and it was by visiting this, I determined the 

 existence of a very anomalous physical feature, on a really grand scale 

 and one which, though familiar with the like topographical feature on 

 a small scale, as seen near Cherra Poonjee, fairly surprised me. The 

 cause is simple enough, the united streams all meet in the nummulitic 

 limestone, that here extends quite across the main valley ; the streams 

 drain away under it, over the surface of the harder sandstone on which 

 it rests. This water must percolate under the Kuta Bram ridge into the 

 B-ugsir, but the greater quantity evidently finds its Way into the Gabir, 

 at Bagholi, there a large stream without an equivalent drainage area. 

 The ascent to Kuta Bram cliff is through a forest of enormous trees in 

 the bottom of the valley, passing into bamboo near the crest of the 

 ridge, that rises quite 350 feet on the south. The fossiliferous sands 

 succeeded limestone as usual, and continued to a short distance within a 

 few feet of the cliff ; this consisted of fine thin-bedded sands, micaceous, 

 of light ochre and gray colours ; they dip about 10° south, but no 

 fossils could I find in any of the debris at its foot, although about 100 

 feet of the beds were here exposed. This newer series covers all the 

 spurs south of Yindku, and is exposed again on a direct path leading 

 from that peak into the Rugsir and on to Gillagora, a village of Habi- 

 ang Graros. Some of the beds at this point were of a blue, crumbly 

 clay, and all thin-bedded ; the presence of springs causing land-slips, 

 have formed this bare open spot, whence a fine view is obtained. 



Passing on clown this ridge, nummulitic limestone again makes its 

 appearance on the right hand or the west, rising in a very steep cliff, the 

 path is over the red sandy clay (fossils being numerous of Nongkulang 

 forms) at its base. Descended at last rapidly into the bed of Rungsir, 

 here hard massive fine sandstones passed under the limestone, which 



