292 Proceedings of the Asiatic Society. [No. 3, 



a cluster of low ranges South and West of the town of Cuttack. 

 These are composed of sandstone which has been referred to the 

 same age as the rocks of the Mahadewa hills in Central India, but 

 the connexion is not clearly established. 



Laterite occurs largely in Orissa forming terraces like plains 

 around all the hills up to a certain level, which level diminishes in 

 height towards the East until at length the laterite is covered up 

 by the alluvium of the low country. From various considerations 

 it appears probable that there are, in Orissa, two kinds of laterite, 

 one formed by detrital action and containing sand, rounded pebbles 

 and boulders, the other resulting from the alteration in situ of 

 gneiss or sandstone. The former appears to be invariably present 

 where any laterite occurs. The quantity of iron contained appears 

 difficult to account for. 



Besides the flat Delta alluvium of Southern and Central Orissa, 

 a considerable area in Northern Orissa is covered by an alluvium of 

 older date which generally contains a gravelly form of laterite. 

 "Wherever the coast faces to the South-East sand hills occur, 

 generally in several successive ranges one behind the other, each 

 marking an old coast line. 



In conclusion the uses to which many of the rocks of Orissa are 

 put for building and other purposes were pointed out and the 

 availability of some of them remarked on. 



In a discussion which ensued Captain Sherwill explained the 

 mode of occurrence of laterite in the Kajmahal Hills. 



Captain Toung gave some details relating to the same rock near 

 Rangoon. 



Professor Oldham described some curious phenomena connected 

 with the occurrence of laterite in Ceylon and elsewhere, at the same 

 time shewing that the name laterite had been applied without good 

 reason to a number of different rocks distinct from that for which it 

 was originally proposed. 



Professor Oldham also mentioned that he had just been informed 

 by a member, that a belief existed to the effect that formerly the 

 bay between the mouths of the Brahmini and Soobunreeka was cul- 

 tivated land, the sea being kept out by a bund which has since been 

 destroyed. This rumour seems opposed by the present Geological 



