1842.] of the Damoodah Valley . 733 



running parallel with the river up to Ramghur. Coal is found in many 

 situations in Chota Nagpore, though the veins are deficient in thickness. 

 It remains to be seen, if others of more encouraging quality and suf- 

 ficiently thick to be worked will be discovered in that wild country. 

 I think it possible, that a previous connection has existed between the 

 coal field of Palamow, Damoodah, and those countries beyond Chota 

 Nagpore, towards the northern part of Cuttack to the sites described 

 by Captain Kittoe, and which are traceable through a great extent 

 of country thence towards the Coyle, and also through Chota Nagpore. 

 The concomitant rocks and shales found in all these countries are ex- 

 tremely similar ; nor is there wanting some peculiar veins of iron stone 

 and fire clay, which point towards common and probably coeval forma- 

 tion. The country is so extensive, that years must elapse ere these con- 

 jectures can possibly be supported by unerring proofs. But it seems to 

 me indisputable it is not a matter of very much interest as regards 

 Chota Nagpore, as its distance, and the impracticable nature of the 

 country, precludes a hope of finding any demand for its produce of 

 coal. 



Returning to Gautcole, and on the north-east bank of the river, we 

 find continuous dislocations, the dykes now appearing to be of green- 

 stone, and the country becomes covered with loose gravelly quartz 

 pebbles and conglomerates. Coming downwards to the rocky island 

 at the junction of the Barracar river, we enter it. This being a sub- 

 division of the Agency of the South-west Frontier, or Chota Nagpore, 

 is subject to the jurisdiction of the Poorooleah Agency. Soon after 

 entering the Barracar, great dislocations are visible, and by the agency 

 of some one of them, a fine vein of coal is brought to the surface 

 of the ground, and upon which I have now two collieries at work. 

 Similar dislocations have again thrown down the vein, and its extreme 

 limit is but a few hundred biggahs. The nature of the mineral differs 

 from any that is found in that part of the country, or within the 

 Damoodah. The coal is of that description called bending, though 

 not very strongly so; still it produces an excellent coke, such as 

 is not obtainable from the coals found lower down the Damoodah. 

 It has been found to be the very best description of coal used for steam 

 engines, and far exceeding in value for that purpose any other of 

 the country coals now brought to Calcutta. About four miles up the 



