FART 3 .] 
I led/indl: Narbada Coal-basin. 
6f 
to ascertain their extension beneath the younger rocks to the south. Although little inform¬ 
ation has been gained within the last twelve months, and that little not very encouraging, 
the importance of the case makes it worth noting. The following notes, in continuation of 
my last year’s report, refer only to the northern side of the coal region: every endeavour 
should be made to find the coal there before attempting to work the distant outcrops of the 
Upper Tawa valley, on the south side of the basin. The localities to be mentioned in this 
paper may be followed upon the small map attached to the report of last year, or upon the 
large sketch map of 1859. 
During part of the past season I examined a number of sections along the northern 
side of the area of sedimentary rocks from end to end. but without discovering an outcrop 
of the coal-measure rocks (the Barakar group). This direct evidence failing, the fact that 
has most encouraged hope of the proximity of coal has been the occurrence in several places of 
Talchir rocks, which so constantly underlie the coal-measures. The outcrop in the glen south 
of Futtehpiir was mentioned in last year’s report. A much larger spread of the same rock 
is seen at the edge of the plains south of Dhabka, eight miles east-south-east of Sohagpur: 
again, to east of the Sitariva, half way between Chungaon and Hatnapiir, close on the west 
of Nibhora village. But even this evidence is open to doubt: in all cases the rock in 
question is indeed the lowest seen, and is identical with the well known Talchir boulder 
clay; but except for the boulders (which are not of large size) an identical clay is common 
in the adjoining Mahadeva rocks, alternating with the more common mottled red clays. 
Thus, the identification of this boulder bed as Talchir rests largely on the assumption that 
there is no such bed in the Mahaddv&S; it is certainly very different trom the ordinary 
conglomerates of this series. It is moreover noteworthy that in the undoubted Talchlrs of 
the Sitariva section sandy rocks prevail: even the boulder-bed is principally a sandstone, 
the clay being subordinate. I am, however, decidedly of opinion that the rock in the 
localities noticed belongs to the Talchirs. The presumption thus gained in favor of the 
proximity of the coal-measures along this edge of the field is, no doubt, an uncertain one; 
but it is something; the Barakur and Talchir groups being about the two most constant 
companions of all the groups of the great plant-bearing series. It will probably be advis¬ 
able at some early date to make one or more deep borings through the Mahadeva rocks 
at some little distance from the edge of the basin ; but, as was urged last year, it would 
be unwise to attempt this until it be seen wbat can be learned from the exploration oi 
the Sitariva field as to the conditions of the formations in passing southwards. 
Very little has been added during the past year to our knowledge of the seams in 
the Sitariva (Mohpani) field. What explorations have been made only bring into clearer 
view the greatly disturbed condition of rocks within the area exposed, and the corres¬ 
ponding deterioration of the coal. In the pits on the vertical scams at the north edge 
of the field tho coal has become greatly squeezed-out at a depth of 100 feet, and along 
the strike westwards, being at the same time reduced to an useless paste. Some shallow 
excavations on the outcrops in the ravine to the north of tho Narbada Company’s mine 
show the coal to be tremendously crushed and uiixcd with tire associated rock; two strong 
trap-dykes here passing within a hundred yards of each other right through the measures. 
The trial boriug at Pukuhi was carried to a depth of 110 feet. The result was inconclusive 
and, in a measure, unexpected. The sandstone, which from its position and general appear¬ 
ance it was thought might be the top-rock of the coal-measures, proved to be only a band 
in the Mahadcvas; the bore having gone through some 60 feet of the typical red clay 
beneath it.. . Below this, however, the bore passed through dark-brown and dark-grey, 
slightly carbonaceous, clay. Such a rock would he very unusual in the Mahadcvas in this 
position; and would, on the contrary, fairly represent the top of the coal-measures in the 
