102 
Records of the Geological Survey of India. 
[VOL. TV. 
west, but where I crossed from one to the other there was an interruption of continuity 
caused by a strip of about four miles of metamorphic rocks. These may possibly only exist as 
a spur from the southern boundary, which, while they penetrate the area of sedimentaries, 
do not extend sufficiently far north to cause au absolute separation of the two fields. 
Approaching this field from the west, I first struck it about a mile, or rather less, east 
of the village of Bagchapa on the Kurket in Raigur, and thence traced it to its extreme 
eastern extension at Kosira on the Baisandar in Hongir. The distance between these points 
is 34 miles in a direct line. So far as my time admitted, I examined the country to north 
and south, and at many points ascertained the definite boundaries. At others I was obliged 
to content myself with conjecture, but from such data as I possess I feel confident that the 
area occupied by the three groups of sedimentary rocks which occur in this field will be 
found to extend over at least 400 square miles. 
With this introduction I shall, before proceeding to the actual details resulting from my 
preliminary examination, briefly allude to such previous notices as exist regarding the occur¬ 
rence of coal and coal-bearing or associated sedimentaries in this area. 
Colonel Haughton alludes to the Gangpur coal 
formation as possibly connected with that of Sirguja 
Colonel Hangliton, 1854* and Palamow, but adds, “on this point I have no 
reliable data.” 
Captain Saxton communicated to the Asiatic Society in 1855 some particulars regard¬ 
ing coal in the Gangpur Raja’s territory, some 50-60 
Captain Saxton, I855.f miles north-west from Sumbulpiir and 25-30 miles 
from Puddumpur on the Mahanudi. He writes, “ should Calcutta and Bombay be hereafter 
connected by railway this coal would lie on the way. The bed appears very extensive. A 
nala running into the Ebe river which joins the Mahanudi about ten miles above Sumbulpiir 
passes over, and through, it, and masses of the upper coal which is very light are floated 
down in the nala in the rains.” 
No further precise information regarding the locality is given, though little doubt can 
exist that the Baisandar is the ‘ nahV alluded to. 
In a preliminary notice on the coal and iron of Cuttack by Dr. Oldham, reference is 
Dr oidham made to this discovery by Captain Saxton. Time 
did not admit of the Officers of the Geological Survey— 
at that season engaged in Cuttack—visiting the locality. 
On the Topographical Survey Map, recently 
Topographical Survey Map. 
published, the occurrence ot coal is indicated in 
several localities, especially in the Baisandar river. 
Tbe formations occurring in this area are Talchfrs, Barakars, and Upper sandstones, &c., 
(P Mahadevas). 
Talchi'bs. 
The only place at which I met with rocks belonging to the Talclifr series in this 
field was near tbe village of Kosira at the north-east corner of the area; they are 
very indistinctly seen, and much mixed up with a kind of arkose bed, which is precisely 
similar to one occurring on an undoubted Barakar horizon, and which will be found described 
further on. In the Baisandar below Kosira they consist of greenish and yellow sandstones 
with a boulder bed. 
* J. A. S., Ii., 1854. 
t Proc. A. S., B., March, 1855. 
