G8 
Records of the Geological Survey of India. 
[vol. m. 
The first question affects the important point of the possible northern extension of the 
coal-measures beneath the plains: for several miles to east and west of the Sitariva no rock 
is seen to the north of the sedimentary series; and although the front here presented by these 
rocks is well up to the line of the general run of the metamorphie rocks bounding the basin 
at some distance to the north-north-east and -west-south-west, there would be nothing forced 
in supposing that there was originally here a curve or bay in that boundary ; the appearance 
here of rocks (the coal-measures) not seen elsewhere in corresponding positions might even 
suggest such a view. The questions will not, of course, be left to conjecture, but as it is 
desirable to proceed at first in the most promising direction, I would express my opinion that 
the measures do not extend northwards to any distance beyond the present known limits : 
such extrome disturbance of the strata as is seen in the Sitariva Company’s collieries is not 
known to occur except close to the contact with the hard boundary rocks; a second reason is, 
that the massive coarse conglomerates of the Mahadeva series only occur close to the original 
rock-boundary, rapidly thinning out as they recede from that boundary; but here we find them 
in full force. In the figured section I have represented what I conceive to be the character 
of the section to the north of the present boundary with the superficial deposits. 
The second and third considerations are much alike, and neither can bo said to be 
altogether favorable ; the Barakar coal is sometimes capricious in its development, as is corro¬ 
borated by the beds here, the four seams of the Narbadk Company’s pits being reduced to 
two at the Sitariva Company’s mines; but certainly there is here no special ground for dis¬ 
couragement on this score. The occurrence of the formation itself is more open to doubt; 
it certainly is not co-extensive with the Mahadeva rocks; at many points along this 
boundary the latter are found resting upon the metamorphics, without any intervening 
representative of the older groups. This chance of failure is most likely to take effect in 
trials along the outer margin of the hills; but there is decided ground for hope that in a 
southerly ctireotion, as far as they can be followed, the coal-measures will continue steady. 
The fourth consideration is a very important ono : if the Barakar group had been to 
any extent denuded before the deposition of the strata that now cover it, an indeter¬ 
minate source of error would be introduced that might frustrate the most judicious 
calculations. This condition, so far as is known, is favorable: the Mahaddvas _ have 
been subjected to the same disturbance as the coal measures, and wherever the section is 
visible, the top measures are found in place. There is even some evidence (though insuffi¬ 
cient) to suggest a closer relation: thus, at the Sitariva mines the top beds of the measures are 
earthy, and so are the bottom Mahadevas; while in the southern section of the boundary 
in the river the rusty sandstone over the coal is not unlike the sandy base of the overlying 
Maliadeva conglomerate; this assimilation takes place within a thickness of a few feet,. so 
does not seriously affect the position of the boundary. At the same time, at some points 
of this river section, there are appearances of the measures striking obliquely against the 
conglomerate ; but this may well be due to one of the many small faults that trouble the 
strata in this locality. There are also some strong general considerations to suggest decided 
unconformability at this boundary, but they are too vague to be discussed here. 
Extension eastwards.— It may be inferred from what has been said that my best 
hope for the field is in following the seams southwards ; but there are other prospects worth 
investigation. A bore is now being sunk by my recommendation near Pukuki, the most 
north-easterly point at which the measures come to the surface: the Barakar sandstone 
appears immediately beneath the red clays, both having a south-south-easterly dip of 
about 20°. The result of this trial will give the best indication for further explorations 
in the covered ground to north and east. The Narbada Company’s workings under the 
river in the topi seam are beneath the conglomerate. 
Westwards, on the flat ground. —As for the prospects in the low ground west of Mohpani 
there is really nothing to guide one, the rocks in that direction being indefinitely tossed 
about, denuded, and'now covered by gravel and clay. The vertical scam worked by the 
Sitariva Company very soon passes under the deep alluvial clay ; and there is no conjecturing 
what becomes of it: it can at least be said that there is no prospect whatever of the coal or 
its position being better in that direction. The Talchir rocks certainly reach for some dis¬ 
tance to west of the Sitariva; they are seen close to the east base of the Mohpani trap-hill. 
On the west base of the same hill, the Barakar sandstone is well exposed, dipping under the 
trap; but it would seem that the upper portion containing the coal-measures has been removed 
either by the trap or previous to its outflow. Half a mile to west of this, there is another 
Hat outcrop of sandstone, either Damuda or Talchir. In the stream half a mile east oi 
Manigaon village, there is a small section of sandstone, clay and a lumpy limestone, that 
may be either Talchir or Mahadeva. The largest exposure of rock in this flat ground is 
