8 HOLLAND AND TIPPER : INDIAN GEOLOGICAL TERMINOLOGY. 



and distinguished them as Mahadewas of unknown geological age, 

 but older than the trap-flows of the Deccan. The rocks referred 

 to as Damoodahs and Mahadewas are now united in the Gondwana 

 System. 



The nest distinct step towards the development of a stratigra- 

 phical classification was due to the work of W. T. and H. F. 

 Blanford and W. Theobald in the Orissa division. They discovered 

 under the Damoodahs a formation of peculiar lithological characters 

 which they proposed to distinguish by the name Talcheer. At 

 the same time these authors argued 1 from imperfect evidence that 

 the Damoodahs and Talcheers could not be younger than the 

 European Permian, thus correcting the previously-held impression 

 regarding the Mesozoic age of the strata. 



Successive volumes of the Geological Survey Memoirs gradually 

 extended the Indian stratigraphical scale until, in 1879, it was 

 found possible to issue a general account of the Geology in the 

 form of a Manual which showed the remarkable progress made 

 during the previous twenty-three years in correlating Indian forma- 

 tions with those of the standard stratigraphical scale of Europe. 

 On account of their general differences in geological history, the 

 Peninsular and Extra-Peninsular areas were treated separately, and 

 the following tables show briefly the sub-divisions and ages of the 

 formations then recognised : — ■ 



Classified List of Formations in Peninsular India. 

 (H. B. Medlicott and W. T. Blanford, 1879.) 



Caenozoic . 



Recent aud -( 

 P o s t-T e r- 

 tiary. 



Blown sand. Soils, including 

 black soil or regur. Modern 

 alluvial deposits of rivers, estu- 

 aries, and the sea coast. Khadar 

 of Indo-Gangetic plain, etc. 



Raised shell beds of coast. 



Low-level laterite. Older alluvial 

 deposits of Ganges, Narbada, 

 Godavari, etc. Cave deposits. 



Approximate 

 maximum 

 thickness. 



L'nknown ; 

 700 feet 

 deepest 

 boring. 



1 Mem., Geol. Sitrv. of 2nd., Vol. 1, p. 46- 



