i833.J Reports on the Coal and Mineral ResoursiS of India. 161 



The lower beds consist of a coarse conglomerate, resting on greenstone 

 after the manner of similar conglomerates in nearly all countries in which 

 their fundamental rocks have been observed.* When we consider that this 

 is not merely the case with the simdstone of the Kasya mountains, but 

 that the whole series of sandstones throughout Central India rest on 

 the flanks of ranges of sienite, greenstone, and basalt, we cannot apply 

 more appropriate language in elucidation of this general feature in our 

 geology, extending as it does over an area of 1,800 geographical miles 

 in length, and 300 in breadth, than the following remarks of De la 

 Beche:— "As we can scarcely conceive such general and simultane- 

 ous movements in the interior strata immediately preceding the firsfc 

 deposit of the red sandstone series, that every point on which it reposes 

 was convulsed and threw off fragments of rocks at the same moment J 

 we should rather look to certain foci of disturbance for the dispersion 

 of fragments, or the sudden elevation of lines of strata, sometimes per- 

 haps producing ranges of mountains in accordance with the views of 

 M. Elie de Beaumont." Had this idea resulted from observations in 

 India, rather than in Europe, it could not have been more appropri- 

 ate, or formed so as to convey a more accurate notion of the nature and 

 connexions of our red conglomerates. 



" Ascending through the series of beds of this rock in the Kasya 

 mountains, we find the coarser strata occasionally reappear, succeeded 

 again by the normal beds which are fine, durable, and grey coloured. 



" In some places, but especially when approaching the upper third 

 the series, the colours become variegated, and ultimately the whole, or 

 nearly so, assume a brick red colour. The higher strata form a barren 

 table-land with lengthy sloping summits extending to the distance of 

 ten miles towards the interior of the mountains. 



" The limestone and coal about to be described, repose in an elevated 

 position on either side of the adjoining summits ; whether the rocks of 

 U'hich these last are composed, occupy a superior geognostic position 

 with regard to the coal or not, is somewhat doubtful ; but as far as it is 

 safe to determine from inquiries of a partial nature, we may consider the 

 sandstone from the base of the mountains to the higher peaks along 

 their flanks as an uninterrupted series of beds, and consequently, that 

 the coal is a newer rock than the sandstone composing adjacent summits. 



" * Speaking of the porphyry on which the red conglomerates of Devonshire rest, De la 

 Beche observes (Manual Geol. 388.)—" When however we extend our observations we find 

 that our conglomerates are very characteristic of deposits of the same age in other parts of 

 Britain, France, and Germany, and they most frequently though not always rest on dis- 

 turbed strata." 



