1836.] the Country between Hyderabad and Ndgpur. 195 



filling up. I shall seldom use mineralogical terms, except I have had 

 an opportunity of comparing the specimens with those collected by 

 persons well acquainted with the science; and when they do occur, 

 an examination of the specimens will afford the means of correcting 

 any errors that may be fallen into. The geological relations of the 

 strata were ascertained with as much care as the nature of the country 

 permitted, and no exertion was spared in tracing them as far as pos- 

 sible, both on the plains, at the foot of the hills, and their most in- 

 accessible summits. My avocations however were unfavourable, and a 

 person more at leisure would find an ample field to reward his labours. 

 He must, however, be prepared to pursue his examinations in the 

 height of the hot season, when the grass and wood jungle are less lux- 

 uriant, and the plains free from their covering of jawari and other grain. 



Some account has already been published* of the country between 

 Masulipatam and Hyderabad, on which I had not an opportunity of 

 making many observations. One or two points, however, deserve to 

 be noticed, as the specimens collected in this part of the route are 

 similar to those found north of Hyderabad, as far as Nirmal, and throw 

 some light on appearances on. which important inferences have been 

 too hastily founded. 



At page 70, vol. ii. of the Gleanings in Science, a desire is 

 expressed by a gentleman at home, stated to be of high scientific 

 acquirements, that specimens should be collected from the face of the 

 hill of Bezwarah, where it has been cut through by the Kistnah 

 river; and the author of the queries, seems to be impressed with a 

 belief, that a lake had formerly existed some way above it, towards 

 Warapilly. The distance, however, between the Warapilly ghat and 

 Bezwarah, is considerable; and I do not think, that there are any 

 decided appearances at the former of the blue limestone of the clay- 

 slate formation f having constituted the margin of a lake. The strata 

 at the upper part of the rising ground to the north of the river are as 

 hard as those lower in the valley, or on the opposite bank. A specimen 

 of this rock, of a pure white colour, and of great hardness, which I broke 

 from the summit of the ascent above Warapilly, well known to travel- 

 lers from the difficulty of riding over the large smooth slabs of marble, 

 and which would have been admirably adapted for lithographic purposes, 

 had it been free from minute crystals of quartz, was sent to you about 

 three years ago by Captain Smith of the Madras Engineers. The 

 junction of this rock with the granite to the north, could not be 



* Asiatic Researches, vol. xviii. 



+ I use this term of Dr. Voysev, but think its adoption more objectionable than 

 argillaceous limestone, used by Colonel Ctjli.en in the Madras Transactions. It would 

 be better to characterise it as " blue limestone," " Cuddapah limestone," or other term 

 involving no opinion as to its geological relations. 



