26 
Records of the Geological Survey of India. 
[VOL. VI. 
of the rocks, -which, with a covering of trap, filled up the basins and valleys existing in the 
ancient metamorphic area. Thus, we can see what were the conditions which gave the river 
a fall from above, sufficient to enable it in the long lapse of time to cut down through what, 
under other circumstances, would have been an insurmountable obstacle to the formation of 
a drainage outlet for this area on the north. 
Under somewhat similar conditions, two other considerable rivers, the ICunhur and 
Eehr, have cut gorges for themselves, through which they are gradually removing away all 
traces of those rocks whose former presence enabled them to force their way to the Sone. 
Thus the valleys and basins are being sculptured and cleared out anew, the sedimentary 
rocks broken up into detached areas, and the basal metamorphics gradually re-exposed to 
the direct action of denudation. 
Previous to the first visit of the Geological Survey, the information regarding the 
existence of coal measures in Sirgiija was of a somewhat hazy 
character, being chiefly confined to brief notices by the district 
officers, who in their tours had seen or heard of the existence of coal seams. 
Previous observers. 
Colonel Ouseley, J. A. S. B., In a paper on the antiquities of Sirgiija, Colonel Onseley men- 
xvii, 1848, p. Co. tions the occurrence of coal, iron, gold, ochre, marble and lime in 
that district. 
In Mr. Greenough’s map the Damiida valley coal measures are connected with those 
Greenoujrh, Brit. Ass. Re- °f Sirgiija and the Hutso valley. The incorrectness of this was 
port fur l«54, and map. pointed out in the Report of the Committee on Mr. Greenough’s 
map, appointed by the Asiatic Society in 1866. Vide J. A. S. B., XXV, p. 425. 
Colonel Haugliton states “ the Gangpiir coal formation is 
probably connected with that of Sirgiija and Palamow; but on 
this point I have no reliable data.” 
Colonel Dalton alludes to the occurrence of coal in parts of 
Sirgiija. 
Localities for coal are given on the 1-inch maps constructed under the superintendence 
Topographical Survey Maps, of Ma j or Depree and Captain Sale. Reference will be made to 
these localities in the following pages. 
Colonel Haugliton, J. A. S. 
B., 1854, p. 105. 
Colonel Dalton, J. A. S. B., 
XXXIV, pt. II, No. 1, 1866. 
1867-68. 
I.—General Geology. 
The sedimentary rocks of this area are referable to three formations, viz. :—■ 
Talchir series. 
Damiida series (Barakar group). 
Upper sandstones (= Matuidevas P) 
As to the maximum thickness of the Talchirs, there are no sections sufficiently definite 
to enable us to determine its amount with certainty; but in no 
part of the field where the rocks of this formation are exposed do 
they reach 200 feet. In the clearest section in the area—in the Goinghatta—the same beds 
roll over and over and it is impossible to measure them. Outside what we have adopted as 
the limits of the present description, there may be a much greater thickness, and in one 
section underneath the Main pat, they certainly do exceed 200 feet. 
Similarly with the Barakars, though occupying a considerable area, there is no tilting 
or disturbance of the beds for any continuous distance, the con¬ 
sequence being that no measurements can be made which are of 
the least value for determining the thickness. The prevalence of sandstones to the almost 
