PART 1.] 
Hughes : Geology of the upper Goddvari basin. 
23 
horizon that the analogy with the Wardha valley might be quoted to justify 
my having done so. 
As specific rocks in the higher portion of the group, I have accepted the 
compact argillaceous shales and sandstones of deep red, buff and pale purple 
colours, they being very characteristic, both in the district from which the Kam- 
this derived their name, and in the Wardha valley. 
The mapping of the Kamthis has been beset by the same difficulties, ari.sing 
from imjjerfection of sections, &e., as were experienced in the case of the Talchirs 
and Barakars. The aspect of the strata composing the Kamthi group being 
also much more diversified, it was not always that one could vouch so positively 
for the correctness of one’s determinations of isolated rocks as in instances where 
Talchirs and Barakars were concerned. There is not the sameness in the Kamthi 
group, as in the other two, and it was alway^s necessary that one should be pre¬ 
pared to receive as a portion of its series a bed of uncei'tain aspect. 
The lower boundary of the Kamthis may be accepted as fairly accurate througb- 
Lower Wclary of group out, but tho upper is open to possible correction Mr. 
fairly accurate; upj)er boumUiry King and myself differ slightly aS to what shall be 
questionable. considered the limit to the Kamthi group. In his 
paper, contributed to the Records of the Survey (Vol. X, page 55, 1877) he 
introduces between the Kamthis and the Kota-Maleris, a group consisting prin¬ 
cipally of sandstones, which he names after the town of Sironcha. I see no 
necessity for establishing this group. The sandstones from Sandrapali to tho 
junction of the Godavari and the Pranhita at any rate are undoubtedly' Kum- 
this ; and sandstones differing in no respect from those opposite Sironcha are 
to be found above what I imagine to be beds of undisputed Kota-Maleri age. 
One of the chief reasons for the elevation of the Sironcha sandstones into a 
separate group was founded upon an eri’oneous observation which modified a 
case of oblique lamination into one of unconformity.’ On re-oxamination, this 
season, of the section (which Mr. King and I on the first occasion visited 
together) where we foimerly thought ourselves justified in concluding that 
there was a slight unconformity in the succession of the beds, I saw reason to 
change my opinion. Referring the point to Mr. King for his judgment, he, after 
inspecting the section again, agreed with me. As therefore there is no break, 
I am inclined to throw the boundary of the Kamthis more to the north and east, 
thus subtracting a considerable thickness of beds from the Sironcha group. It 
is quite true, as Mr. King remarks, that opposite Sironcha the sandstones differ 
in many points from those of the country to the south (and north-west). “They 
are micaaeoiis, thick and thin-bedded, harsh, even-textured, grey and brown 
sandstones, but they at the same time contain fragments of buff and pink 
shales.” On lithological grounds I think they are separable from the Kamthis, 
and so far I agree with Mr. King, but, instead of isolating them, I would place 
them with the Kota-Maleris. 
The leading characteristics of the Kamthis within the limits of my work, 
correspond with those already set forth in the first place by Mr. Blanford, 
Records, Geological Survey of India, 1877, Vol. X, Fart II, page 61. 
