22 HUGHES : SOUTHERN COAL-FIELDS OF REWAH GONDWANA BASIN. 



of the Umaria seam, owing to the washed-out and dull appearance of the 

 coal at the outcrop, but their conclusion drawn from inadequate investi- 

 gation shows how dangerous it is to frame an adverse opinion of the 

 quality of any coal until careful analysis and experiment have proved 

 what its composition and real worth are. 



Subsequently at different times the existence of the seam was again 



Detail survey institut- noted h Y some of our own officers, but no regular 

 ed, 1879-80. survey of the coal deposits of the Rewah State 



was instituted until the season of 1879-80. Late in May 1880, 1 obtained 

 without visiting Umaria some samples of coal from a few inches below 

 the outcrop. These were submitted to assay by Mr. Mallet, the Curator 

 of the Geological Museum, and the average of his determinations gave 

 a sufficiently favourable view of the quality of the coal to prompt a more 

 searching investigation when the opportunity arose. 

 The figures were — 



Moisture . 11*3 



Volatile matter exclusive of moisture ..... 29 4 



Fixed carbon ......... 45 - 8 



Ash 135 



1000 



The ash was much less than I anticipated from the appearance of the 

 samples, but the amount of moisture was high, and as it confirmed in a 

 measure the opinion then held of the age of the coal, I deferred a closer 

 examination until the mapping of the known areas of Barakars had 

 been completed. 



It was not until November 1881 that in the ordinary course of the 

 general survey it came under my observation. The first field day was 

 enough to make me suspect that the sandstones and consequently the 

 coal with them were much older than had hitherto been supposed ; 

 and, acting on this belief, I endeavoured to obtain confirmatory 

 palseobotanical evidence. The credit of supplying the direct proof of the 

 Discovery of plants by horizon of the coal-measures rests with my colleague, 

 Hira Lai. Lala Hira Lai, who, more favoured by fortune 



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