OR CUTTACK. 177 



Khandaits, Dulbehras, Naiks or Bhimias subordinate to the chief Zemin- 

 dar. 



The hills visible from the low country between the Brahmani river 

 and Ganjam, are chiefly a granite formation remarkable for its resemblance 

 to sandstone, and for its containing vast quantities* of imperfectly formed 

 garnets disseminated throughout, with veins of steatite considerably indu- 

 rated. They occur generally in irregular scattered groups, having peaked 

 and waving summits, which seem to cross each other at all angles ; or in 

 isolated conical and wedge-shaped hills wholly disconnected at their bases, 

 and are all covered with vegetation to the very top. The greatest height of 

 those seen from the Mogulbandi may be about 2,000 feet. Their ordinary 

 elevation varies from 300 feet to 1200 feet. Ranges occur further in the in- 

 terior of greater loftiness and regularity, but 1 believe that an extended, 

 continuous chain of mountains is no where to be met with in the Rajwara 

 of Oiissa. The prevailing colour of the principal rock is red. As far as my 

 observation goes it never occurs stratified. Its texture often approaches to 

 slaty, and from its generally decomposing and decomposed aspect, the 

 quantity of red spots which it contains, being the ill-formed garnets above 

 noticed, and the frequent veins of red and white steatite intersecting it, it 

 presents altogether a most remarkable appearance. The same rock I ap- 

 prehend extend* throughout the Northern Circars and far into the heart of 

 the Deccan. 



The rock most abounding in this division of the district next to the 

 granite, is that singular substance called Iron Clay by Jamieson, and Late- 

 rite by Dr. Buchanan. It lies in beds of considerable depth on the feet of the 

 granite hills, often advancing\mt for a distance of ten or fifteen miles into the 



* Having enjoyed an opportunity of submitting an extensive collection of Cuttack specimens to 

 the examination of Mr. H. Voysey, Surgeon and Geologist to Col. Lambton's survey, I am enabled by 

 his assistance to express myself with some confidence in the little which I have to offer regarding 

 the mineraio^y of the province. 



w 



