PALAEOBOTANY AND STRATIGRAPHY OF THE COAL• BEARING BEDS OF THE DALTONGAN] COALFIELD, BIHAR

P. Ie MAITI-IY Birbal Salmi Institute of Palaeobotany. Lucknow

Abstract large amount of feldspar. The Barakar The present paper deals with the plant fossils and rocks are sandstones, slightly calcareous, the miospores recovered from the coal-bearing beds more or less yellowish-white in colour. of the Daltonganj Coalfield. On basis of these The river and nala exposes the coal• plant fossil evidences the stratigraphical positions bearing beds at several places. However, of these beds in the Lower Gondwana succession are discussed. from only four shale bands exposures the plant fossils and miospores are recorded. INTRODUCTION The four shale band exposures are located as follows: I. About 2 furlongs east of Amanat- ]injoi HITHERTO,coal-bearing thesedimentaryage of theformationsdifferent river junction, on the North bank of lying above the Talchirs in the Jinjoi river. A shale bed of grey Daltonganj Coalfield is a stratigraphical micaceous shale; 3 feet thick which is problem. Earlier Feistmantel (1886) and overlain by grit. Dip NE. in recent years Lele and Maithy (1966) des• II. From thick shale and sandstone inter• cribed the megafossils from the coal-bearing calations lying in between beds of the Daltonganj Coalfield. The plant bottom and Pandwa top seams in the fossils recorded are Equisetalean stems, Rajhara Colliery. The depth of the Phyllotheca, Gangamopteris, Glossopteris, fossil material is about 90 feet from Noeggerathiopsis, Buriadia, Samaropsis and surface. The dip is NE. A major Cordaicarpus. On basis of these evidences fault is present above the Pandwa both Feistmantel (l.c.) and Lele and Maithy Top seam. (l.c.) opined that the coal-bearing beds in III. Beds exposed about 400 yds. north Rajhara Colliery, Daltonganj Coalfield, are of the junction of Sadabaha and Lobjee homotaxially equivalent to the Karharbari rivers on the East bank of Sadabaha Stage of the . To ascertain river. This bed is lying actually above the stratigraphical position of the complete the top Rajhara seam. The sequence succession of the coal-bearing sedimentary of beds is as follows: formation in the Daltonganj Coalfield, the 3. 10' sandstone, fine-grained, bluish• study of the megafossils and miospores has white in colour. been undertaken. The results obtained are 2. 2' coaly shale, dark black in colour, described in the following pages. more or less brittle. The coalfield is about 50 miles west of 1. 20' alternating bands of Carbona• Hazaribagh town and is traversed by North ceous shales and sandstones. Koel river, a tributary of Son. The field is Fossils from both beds NO.1 and NO.2 long irregularly shaped tract, with very have been recorded. tortuous boundaries. It is about 50 miles in IV. Beds exposed on the East bank of the length from East to West and varies in Lobjee river near Rajhara Colliery. breadth from 1 to 8 miles; its total area The bed has ferruginious sandy mica• being 200 square miles. Inside the basin ceous shales. whose boundaries appear natural ones, several inextensive inlier of gneisses occur. DESCRIPTION The only formations represented are the A. MEGAFOSSILS Talchirs, the Karharbaris and the Barakars. In the Talchirs, the usual rocks are sand• Phyllotheca Brongn. stones being more prevalent than shales, Phyllotheca sahnii Saks. emend. Townrow whilst the boulder beds are well developed. The rocks of the Karharbari age are bluish• The collection contain impressions of stems grey sandstones, gritty in nature, contain with and without leaves. Stems ribbed and 265 266 THE PALAEOBOTANIST

articulated, 3-4 mm. wide. Jodal and inter• zone they are coherent forming a small cup. nodal zones are distinct. The length of the The major length of the leaves is free. internodal zones varies from 1 to 3 cm. Ribs They spread out at nearly right angle to and furrows are continuous both at the stem. A disc shaped impression shows nodal and internodal zones. Leaf sheaths (PL. 1, FIG. 2) that the leaf segments are closely adpressed to stems, narrow, amplexi• fused at the base forming a very small cup. caul at the base, spreading somewhat above The number of free segments counted are into open saucer-like shape and has 18-22 free 24 in number. Each free segment is linear leaf segments, radiating out more or less at in shape, broader towards base and narrow right angles. Some of the leaf sheaths and at apex. The end is bluntly pointed. Each leaf segments are preserved dorsi ventrally. segment has one prominent median vein They show that the leaf segments are which is persistent along full length of the coherent at the base and somewhat spreading leaf. out in form of saucer. Free leaf segments Adventitious roots emerge from the nodal are linear, 1·5-2·5 cm. long, acute apex. zone of the stem (PL. 1, FIG. 3). The roots Each one of them has one median vein. are 4-5 em. long and 1-2 mm. broad. The The specimens compare well with P. sahnii adventitious roots branch frequently by Saksena (1952) recorded from Ganjra Nalla dichotomy, ultimately they become thin and Beds and Maithy (1965c) recorded from the very short. Some of the roots show a Karharbari beds, Giridih Coalfield. median line in the centre. Probably this represent a vascular bundle. Phyllotheca crassa sp. novo Comparison - Although, a dozen species PI. 1, Figs. 1-3 of Phyllotheca are known from the Southern Hemisphere, but the present species compare Diagnosis - Stem articulated, fairly long; only with P. brookvalensis Townrow (1955) nodal and internodal zones distinct. Inter• to a certain extent. The present form is, nodal zone 1-4·5 cm. long, width 0·5-2·5 cm. however, distinct from P. brookvalensis Surface of stem with alternate ridges and in having leaves broader towards base and grooves, 5-12 in number in the widest part; narrower towards apex. In P. brookvalensis ridges and grooves continuous. Leaves the leaves are uniformly broad. P. ampla emerge from nodal zones, coherent basaly Surange and Kulkarni (1968) differs .in to form a small cup; each leaf is linear, having leaf sheath closely adpressed to stem 3-6 em. long, 2-3 mm. broad, apex blunt. and saucer-shaped cup. The leaves are spreading out from the stem. Each leaf has one median vein, distinct and Sphenopteris Brongn. continuous up to apex. Adventitious roots emerge from the nodal zone of the stems, Sphenopteris polymorpha Feistm. 4-5 em. long and 1-2 mm. broad. Roots branch frequently by dichotomy until they The shales collected from Lobjee and become thin and hair-like. Sadabaha junction exposure contain impres• Syntypes - 33817/833, 33818/833, 33819/ sion of the large number of fronds. The 833 Birbal Sahni Institute of Palaeobotany, fronds are tripinnate. The primary rachis is Lucknow. - incomplete, still it is very long measuring Locality - Lobjee river exposure, near 17 cm. long and 0·4 em broad. It has seve• Rajhara Colliery, Daltonganj Coalfield. ral fine striations. The secondary rachises Description - The zone in which fossils emerge alternately from the main rachis on occur is characterized by overwhelming both the sides. The distance in between the abundance of the impression of stems. emergence of secondary rachises is 1-2·5 em. The stems are fairly long. Jo definite The secondary rachises are fairly long, branching is marked. Stems jointed and 4·8 cm. Each secondary rachis bears pinna ribbed with distinct zones of nodes and rachises alternately at a distance of 0·5• internodes. Internodes are 1 to 4·5 em. 0·8 em. Pinnae 0·5 cm. to 3 em. long. long. Internodal zone 0·2-0·4 em. long. Pinnae lanceolate, pointed (acute) towards Stem width varies from 0·5 to 2·5 cm. Ribs apex. Pinnules deeply lobed, separated from and furrows are continuous at the node and one another and arranged alternately. The internode zones. Leaves emerge from the pinnules are sessile and attached to the nodal region (Pc 1, FIG. 1). At the basal rachis along the full basal width of the MAITHY - PALAEOBOTANY AND STRATIGRAPHY OF COAL-BEARING BEDS 267 pinnule (PL. 1, FIG. 4). Pinnules triangular Glossopteris brownii Brongn. in out~ine, small 2·5 mm. with ± acute apex. Median nerve distinct. Secondary veins Ten incomplete specimens are in the emerge at acute angle, dichotomous and collection. They compare in their venation flexuosus. with G. brownii described by Feistmantel (1881, PL. 29A, FIG. 3). Gangamopteris McCoy Noeggerathiopsis Felstm. emend. Gangamopteris cyclopteroides Feistm. Malthy The collection contains several impressions Noeggerathiopsis hislopi (Bunb.) Feistm. of this type of leaves. Leaves compare well emend. Maithy with the specimens of Feistmantel (1879, PL. 10, FIG. 1) and Maithy (1965d, PL. 1, The collection has a good number of FIG. 1). Some of the incomplete forms are leaf impressions with carbonized crust. very wide, measuring about 10 cm. from the On maceration the crusts do not yield any median region on one side. In these leaves cuticle. The specimens recorded compare the meshes of the median veins are very in its shape and venation with Noeggera• pronounced and big. The meshes are 3-4 thiopsis hislopi described by Maithy (1965b, mm. wide. PL. 1, FIGS.1,2) from the Karharbari Stage, Giridih Coalfield. Gangamopteris mucronata Maithy Buriadia jragilis sp. novo The collection contains about twenty PI. 1, Figs. 5-7 incomplete leaf impressions. Only the middle and the apical portions are preserved. Diagnosis - Shoots irregularly branched, The specimens recorded compare well with thicker shoots leafless or with loosely those of Maithy (1965d, PL. 3, FIGS. 17-19) arranged scattered leaves; penultimate or recorded from the Karharbari Stage, Giridih ultimate branches bear fragile, flat, hetero• Coalfield, both in its shape and venation. morphic leaves, i.e. simple or bifid type; leaves crowded or laxed, spirally arranged at Gangamopteris obliqua McCoy small angles; simple leaves linear narrow, bluntly pointed and decurrent base; bifid The collection contains about ten speci• leaves narrow, towards distal end somewhat mens. Of them only two are complete. wider due to incison of apical zone of leaves The specimens recorded agree well in its into two apex. Each leaf has one median shape and venation with G. obliqua McCoy vein, ± distinct. In bifid leaf it dichoto• recorded by Feistmantel (1881, PL. 2, FIG.5) mises into two and each apices is supplied and Maithy (1965d, PL. 3, FIG. 20) from the with one veinlet. Karharbari Stage, Giridih Coalfield. Syntype - 33820/839, 33821/839 Birbal Sahni Institute of Palaeobotany, Lucknow. Glossopteris Sternb. Locality- From the shale band inter• calations lying in between Rajhara bottom Glossopteris indica Schimper and Pandwa top seams in the Rajhara Colliery. Many of the specimens recorded from the Description - The collection contains Daltonganj Coalfield are complete. In their several stems with and without foliage. venation and shape they compare well with Stems irregularly branched. The width of the figures of Glossopteris indica Feistmantel the stem varies from 0·4 to 0·8 cm. Stem (1881, PL. 24A, FIG. 1). surface is smooth. Branches emerge irregu• larly from the main stem (PL. 1, FIG. 5). Glossopteris communis Feistmantel Their emergence position is either alternate, sub-opposite or opposite. The thick axes Twenty incomplete specimens are in the bear few attached leaves or none, but the collection. In their venation they compare ultimate and penultimate branches bear with Glossopteris communis Feistmantel numerous leaves arranged in cyclic order. (1881, PL. 26A, FIG. 2). Leaves are usually crowded or they may be 268 THE PALAEOBOT ANIST

somewhat laxed. Leaves are heteromorphic FIG. 12). The outer cuticle, i.e. of inte• (PL. 1, FIGS. 6, 7). They are either simple gument is thin-walled, cells ± elongate• with one pointed apex or bifid, i.e. distally rectangular in outline. The size of the cells the apex is divided into almost two equal vary from 80-120 X 10-20 fL. The cells of the points. Leaves are ± fiat and frail in integument in the zone of ridge is distinct. nature. Each leaf has one median vein. Cells are very narrow and elongate and more In bifid leaves the median vein dichotomises densely cutinized. The surface of the cells almost at the half length of leaf and supplies of the integument is smooth. The cells of one veinlet to each apices. The ultimate nucellus are thick-wailed, cutinized and the end of the branches do not show presence of margin of the cells is thick. Towards the any leaf with multifid apex. basal portion of the nucellus, the cells are Comparison - Buriadia jragilis is distin• comparatively shorter in size and the margin guished from Buriadia sewardii Sahni (1928) of the cells is more thick, whereas the cells in having smooth stem, and fiat, frail, towards the apical portion are more elongate. linear leaves. Comparison - Platycardia bengalensis Pant & Nautiyal (1960) differs in the Cordaicarpus Geintz absence of ridge. . Cordaicarpus zeilleri Maithy Rotundocarpus Maithy

The collection contains about twenty seeds Rotundocarpus striatus Maithy agreeing closely with Cordaicarpus zeilleri PIs. 1, 2; Figs. 8-10 Maithy (1965e; PL. 1, FIGS. 1, 2) recorded from the Karharbari beds, Giridih Coalfield. The collection has 100 impressions and However, the specimens from the Daltonganj compressions of seeds comparable with Coalfield are comparatively bigger. Rotundocarpus striatus Maithy (1965a, PL. 2, Platycardia Pant & Nautiyal FIG. 14) recorded from the Karharbari stage of the Giridih Coalfield. Seeds wingless, Platycardia jugus sp. novo radiospermic, 6-10 mm. X 3-4 mm., spindle shaped, strongly convex and bulge out of PI. 2, Figs. 11, 12 rock surface, apex and base pointed, surface with few vertical striations (PL. 1, FIG. 8). Diagnosis - Platyspermic seeds, small, Manv of the seeds with carbonized crust 3-4 mm. X 2-3 mm., ± triangular in outline, on rri'aceration yielded cuticles, an outer coat, apex acute, base rounded; margin thick, i.e. integument and an inner coat, i.e., raised (= ridge), with a distinct median ridge nucellus. The outer coat is thinner than from apex to base, cuticle of integument, inner coat. Cells of the integument poly• thin, cells elongate - rectangular or gonal, hexagonal, rectangular, trapezoid and trapezoidal, margins of cell wall straight; triangular in outline joined by their end or cuticle of nucellus thick, cells pentagonal, anticlinal walls (PL. 1, FIG. 9). Margins hexagonal or trapezoid in outline, joined by of the cells ± straight and thin. The end walls, margins of cell wall sinuous, surface of the cells is smooth. The clles ± thick and somewhat raised. of the nucellus are thick, hexagonal or Holotype --33823/947. Birbal Salmi Insti• polygonal in outline. Margin is sinuous, tute of Palaeobotany, Lucknow. thick and raised. The exine surface of the Locality - From junction of Lobjee and cells show several irregular small peg-like Sadabaha river, about 2 furlongs upstream. projections (PL. 1, FIG. 10). Description - The collection contains 30 impressions and compressions of platy• Samaropsis Goppart spermic seeds. Seed outline is an isobilateral triangle. The apex is acute and the base is Samaropsis goraiensis Surange & Lele rounded. The margin of seeds is somewhat raised resulting ± a marginal ridge like The collection contains ten specimens structure. The seeds contain a median ridge comparable with S. goraiensis Surange & Lele from apex to base (PL. 2, FIG. 11). The (1956) recorded by Maithy (1965a, PL. 1, seeds with carbonized crust on maceration FIGS. 9, 10) from the Karharbari Stage, yielded well preserved cuticles (PL. 2, Giridih Coalfield. MAITHY - PALAEOBOTANY AND STRATIGRAPHY OF COAL-BEARING BEDS 269

B. l\IIOSPORES Lahiites rhombicus Maithy, 1965 Lunatisporites amplus Potonie, 1958 Virkki (1945) described miospores from a F aunipollenites varius Bharad., 1962 shale collected from the coal-bearing bed F. goraiensis Maithy, 1965 of the Daltonganj Coalfield. In that des• F. parvus Tiwari, 1965 Illenites delasa~tcei Grebe & Schweit. 1962 cription the old type system has been followed for taxonomic description. Alisporites oblongus Maithy, 1965 The miospore assemblage described from *A. haploxylonoides sp. novo the coal-bearing succession of the Daltongnj Platysaccus ovatus Maithy, 1965 Coalfield comprises 51 species belonging to *Cttneatisporites densus sp. novo 29 genera. Only the new species (marked *C. indica sp. novo by asteriks) and few others are described Sulcatisporites ovatus Bharad., 1962 and compared in detail in the following Sulcatisporites maximus Singh, 1964 descriptior. : -S. barakarensis Tiwari, 1965 *Leiotriletes sp. Welwitschiapites minutus Maithy, 1965 Punctatisporites ganjrensis Lele & Maithy, W. magmts Maithy, 1965 1969 Vittatina scutata Bharad., 1962 Cyclogranisporites gondwanensis Bharad. & Ginkgocycadophytus cymbatus Pot. & Lele, Sal., 1964 1959 Apiculatisporites levis Balme & Renn., 1956b TAXONOMIC DESCRIPTION A. filiformis Tiwari, 1965 Anteturma - Sporites H. Pot. Didecitriletes horridus Venkat. & Kar, Turma - Triletes (Rein) Pot & Kr. 1965 Subturma - Azonotriletes Lub. D. spinosus Lele & Maithy, 1969 Infraturma - Laeuvigati&Kr. (B & K.) Pot Dentatispora indica Tiwari, 1964 Plicatipollenites indicus Lele, 1964 Genus - Leiotriletes (Noums.) Pot & Kr. P. gondwanensis Lele, 1964 P. trigonalis Lele, 1964 Leiotriletes sp. *P. bilateralis sp. novo Virkkipollenites trigonalis Lele, 1964 The grains recorded are comparable to the V. mehtae Lele, 1964 forms recorded by Maithy (1965e, PL. 1, V. obscurus Lele, 1964 FIG. 1) from the Karharbari Stage of the V. densus Lele, 1964 Giridih Coalfield. Rugasaccites poyplicatus Lele & Maithy, 1969 Anteturma - Pollenites R. Pot. Para saccites karharbarensis Maithy, 1965 Turma - Saccites Erdtm. Subturma - Monosaccites (Chity.) P. korbaensis Bharad. & Tiwari, 1964 Pot & Kr. P. radialis Lele & Maithy, 1968 Infraturma - Apertacorpiti Lele Pachysaccus solaris Lele & Maithy, 1969 Caheniasaccites diffusus Lele & Maithy, Genus - Plicatipollenites Lele 1968 Stellapollenites talchirensis Lele, 1965 Plicatipollenites bilateralis sp. novo Crucisaccites latisulcatus Lele & Maithy, PI. 3, Fig. 13 1964 C. monoletus Maithy, 1965 Diagnosis - Size range 90-120 fl.; outline *Divarisaccus densus sp. novo distinctly oval, body small, ± vertically Potonieisporites neglectus Pot. & Lele, 1959 oval to triangular, dense, exine intramicro-. Vestigisporites diffusus Maithy, 1965 reticulate; trilete mark indistinct, saccus V. densus Singh, 1964 wider along horizontal axis and narrower V. rudis Balme & Renn., 1955 along the vertical axis, exine intrareticulate, Rhizomaspora reticulata Lele & Maithy, surface with microradial folds, body infold 1968 system lies well apart from body periphery, Striatites karharbarensis Maithy, 1965 distinctl y triangular. Saccus intrareticulate. S. densus Maithy, 1965 Holotype-Pl. 3, Fig. 13; Slide No. 3192, S. incirus Maithy, 1965 Birbal Salmi Institute of Palaeobotany, *S. haploxylonoides sp. novo Lucknow. 270 THE PALAEOBOTANIST

Locality - From shale bands exposed, semilunar body folds. Saccus fairly wide, about 400 yds. North of junction of 30-40 (1., encircling the central body, strongly Sadabaha and Lobjee rivers on the west built and coarsely intrareticulate, mesh size bank of Sadabaha river. 1-3 fL, lumina shallow. Description - The grains are distinguished Comparison - Divarisaccus lelei Venkat. & by their distinct oval outline, dense small Kar (1966) differs in having obscure body body and triangular infold system. The and narrow saccus. saccus is more dilated laterally. The surface of the saccus has microradial folds. The body is ± oval or triangular in outline. Subturma - Disaccites Cookson In comparison to the overall size of the grain Infraturma - Striati Pant the size of the body is comparatively much smaller. The infold system lies well apart Genus - Striatites (Pant) Bharad. from the body margin. It is distinctly triangular in outline. The three arms of the Striatites haploxylonoides Sp. novo fold components show considerable angula• PI. 3, Fig. 15 rity and are placed very closed to one another leaving a small body free area Diagnosis - Size range 80-110 (1., overall in the centre. outline ± oval; body ± oval to subcircular, Comparison - In its triangular fold com• mediumly thick, exine microverrucose; 6-7 ponents it compares to P. trigonalis Lele horizontal striations, unbranched; sacci + (1964), however, the present grains differ in equal to body or less, attachment of saccus having distinctly oval outline and dense straight, distal sulcus narrow, zones of small body. attachment associated with two vertical body folds. Saccus exine intrareticulate, muri and lumina of equal size. Subturma - Rotati Lele Holotype-Pl. 3, Fig. 15; Slide No. 3190, Birbal Sahni Institute of Palaeobotany, Genus - Divarisaccus Venkat. & Kar Lucknow. Locality - From the shale bands exposed Divarisaccus densus sp. novo on the West bank of Sadabaha river. PI. 3, Fig. 14 About 400 yds. North of Sadabaha and Lobjee river junction. Diagnosis - Monosaccate, oval-elliptical Description - The grains are haploxy• lonoid, and more or less oval in outline. pollen, size range 120-160 (1.; central body oval, dense, intramicroreticulate. Proximal The body is more or less circular oval in attachment apparently subequatorial, distal outline and mediumly thick. Sacci are attachment bilateral, parallel to longer axis; ± equal to body size or less. The attach• saccus encircling the central body very wide, ment is straight and is always associated coarsely intrareticulate. Zones of distal with two distinct vertical body infolds. saccus attachment associated with two Comparison - Striatites irregularis Tiwari vertical semilunar folds. (1965) compares in its outline but differs in Holotype - PI. 3, Fig. 14, Slide No. 3190, having irregularly branched striations with Birbal Sahni Institute of Palaeobotany, interconnections. Lucknow. Locality - From the shale band exposed Infraturma - Disaccimonoleti Klaus on the West bank ·of Sadabaha river, about 400 yds. North of Sadabaha and Lobjee Genus - Alisporites Daugh river junction. Description - Pollens mostly oval. Cen• Alisporites haploxylonoides sp. novo tral body oval-elleptical, distinct, dense PI. 3, Figs. 16, 17 brown in colour, exine intramicroreticulate. Proximal attachment of saccus to central Diagnosis - Grains haploxylonoid, Size body is apparently subequatorial, attach• range 90-120 (1.; body ± oval, distinct, thick, ment zone devoid of any body fold. Distal exine microverrucose ; sacci spherical, distal attachment bilateral, attachment region saccus free body area very narrow, zones of distinct and associated with two distinct saccus attachment associated with two MAITHY - PALAEOBOTANY A D STRATIGRAPHY OF COAL-BEARING BEDS 271

distinct body infolds, saccus intrareticulate, body, smooth margin of the body and muri and lumina of equal size. wide distal saccus free body area. Holotype-Pl. 3, Fig. 16; Slide No. 3192, Birbal Sahni Institute of Palaeobotany, Cuneatisporites indica sp. novo Lucknow. PI. 3. Figs. 21, 22 Locality - From the shale bands exposed on West bank of Sadabaha river. About Diagnosis - Size range 80-110 [1., grains 400 yds. North of Sadabaha and Lobjee oval in outline; body distinct, thick, river junction. vertically oval, both the ends pointed, exine Description - The overall outline of the intramicroreticulate. Saccus ± 3 times grain is oval, whereas the body is distinctly bigger than body or more, they may be vertically oval. Body 100-140 [1. in size, thick and dark coloured. Mark and stria• deeply notched or laterally connected; sacci distally closely attached to body, attach• tions absent. Distal saccus free body area ment straight, distal saccus free body area is a narrow vertical zone. Attachment zone extremely narrow; zones of sacci attachment of sacci associated with prominent vertical, associated with two distinct vertical body straight, body folds. Sacci ± double the infolds. Saccus exine intrareticulate. body size. Holotype-Pl. 3, Fig. 21; Slide No. 3192, Comparison -The only comparable species Birbal Sahni Institute of Palaeobotany, is Alisporites oblong~tsMaithy (1965e) record• Lucknow. ed from the Karharbari Stage of the Giridih Locality - Shale bands exposed on the Coalfield. However, it is distinguished in the West bank of Sadabaha river. About 400 presence of oblong body, wide distal saccus yds. North of Sadabaha and Lobjee river f~ee body area, sacci ± equal to body junction. SIze. Description - Grains show a variability in overall outline. They show either the sacci are constricted on both the ends or Genus - Cuneatisporites Leschik one end or the sacci joined laterally on both ends. In cases the sacci are laterally dilated. C~tneatisporites densus sp. novo Comparison - Cuneatisporites indica IS PI. 3. Figs. 18-20 distinguished from all the species by its distinct thick oval body with pointed ends Diagnosis - Size range 100-160 [1., diploxy• and subspherical sacci. lonoid, body thick, dense, rhomboidal shape, exine intramicroreticulate, margin of the C. PALAEOBOTANY AND STRATIGRAPHY body show nodular appearance; sacci ± 3 to OF THE OUTCROPS OF THE COAL 4 times bigger than body, distal attachment, BEARING BEDS straight; distal sacci free area extremely narrow, saccus intrareticulate, muri and The coal-bearing sediments are exposed at lumina of equal size. number of places in the Daltonganj Coalfield Holotype - PI. 3, Fig. 18; Slide No. 3192, by rivers and nalas. However, from only Birbal Sahni Institute of Palaeobotany, four exposures plant fossils and miospores Lucknow. could be recovered. Their stratigraphical Locality - From the shale bands exposed position in the Lower Gondwana succession on the West bank of Sadabaha river. is discussed below on basis of plant fossil About 400 yds. North of Sadabaha and contents. Lobjee river junction. Description - Grains distinctly diploxy• I. Bed exposed about 500 yds. away from the lonoid. Body is rhomboidal-shaped. The Amanat-jinjoi river junction on the right margin shows nodular appearance. Exine bank of jinjoi river intramicroreticulate. Sacci ± 4 times bigger than body. Sacci distally attached very Gangamopteris cyclopteroides, Glossopteris closely and leaves a very narrow area. indica and Cordaicarpus cordai are recorded Body infold system absent. from these beds. Among these forms the Comparison - Cuneatisporites jlavatus first and the last form is more common. Bose & Kar (1966) differs in having thin Glossopteris indica is rare. Though, the 272 THE PALAEO BOTANIST

typical index genera of the Karharbaris, III. Beds exposed about 400 yds. North of Gondwanidium and Buriadia are mlssmg the junction of Sadabaha and Lobjee still the dominance of Gangamopteris and r~vers on the west bank of Sadabaha Cordaicarpus indicates that the beds are nver: Karharbari in age. This is further supported by the occurrence of typical Karharbari From this spot the plant fossils recorded megafossils and miospores from the overlying are: younger beds. Gangamopteris cyclopteroides, Gangamop• teris obliqua, Gangamopteris mucronata, Glossopteris indica, Glossopteris commun$S, II. From the shale beds lying in between P/atycardia jugus sp. novo Rajhara bottom seam and Pandwa top Though, the characteristic elements of the seam: Karharbari Stage, viz., Buriadia and Gond• wanidium are unrecorded from these bed, The plant fossil recorded from this bed but the dominance of Gangamopteris and are, viz. Phyllotheca sahnii, Gangamopteris gymnospermic seeds are in favour of the cyclopteroides, Glossopteris indica, Noeggera• fact that the beds are homotaxial to the thiopsis hislopi, Buriadia fragilis sp. nov., Karharbari Stage. This fact is supported Cordaicarpus zeilleri, Samaropsis goraiensis by the miospore assemblage recorded from and Rotundocarpus striatus. Feistmantel this bed. The miospores recorded are as (1886) and Lele and Maithy (1966) have follows: opined on basis of plant fossils that the Leiotriletes sp., Punctatisporites sp., Cyclo• beds are homotaxial to the Karharbari Stage. granisporites gondwanensis, Apiculatispo• The present record of plant fossils further rites levis, A. filiformis, Didecitriletes hor• substantiates the fact that the beds are ridus, D. spinosus, Dentatispora indica, Karharbari in age by the dominant occur• Pachysaccus solaris, Plicatipollenites indicus, rence of Noeggerathiopsis, Gangamopteris, P. trigonalis, P. bilateralis, Divarisacc$ts gymnospermic seeds alongwith Phyllotheca, densus, Virkkipollenites triangularis, V. and the typical characteristic element of the mehtae, V. obsc$trus, V. densus, Parasaccites Karharbari Buriadia. This flora shows a karharbarensis, P. korbaensis, P. radiatis, close comparison to the Karharbari Stage Stellapollenites talchirensis, Crucisaccites lati• flora of the Giridih Coalfield (MAITHY,1966b), sulcatus, C. monoletus, Caheniasaccites diffu• however, comparatively poor in plant fossil sus, Vestigisporites densus, V. rudis, Rhizo• contents. maspora reticulata, Striatites karharbarensis, The miospores recorded from this bed are: S. densus, S. incirus, S. haploxylonoides, Leiotriletes sp., Puncatatisporites sp., Lahrites rhombicus, Faunipollenites varius, Pachysaccus solaris, Plicatipollenites indicus, F. goraiensis, F. parvus, Lunatisporites Divarisaccus densus, Virkkipollenites obs• amplus, Illenites delasaucei, Alisporites ob• curus, V. densus, Rugasaccites polyplicatus, longus, A. haploxylonoides, Platysaccus ovatus, Parasaccites korbaensis, 5tellapollenites talchi• Cuneatisporites densus, C. indica, Sulcatis• rensis, Crucisaccites latisulcatus, Potoniei• Cuneatisporites densus, C. indica, Sulcati• sporites neglectus, Vestigisporites diffusus, sporites ovatus, S. barakarensis, S. maximus, V. densus, Rhizomaspora reticulata, Striatites Welwitschiapites minutus, W. magnus, Vitta• karharbarensis, Faunipollenites varius, Ille• tina scuta and Ginkgocycadophytus cymbatus. nites delasaucei, P/atysaccus ovatus and Among these the following genera are Welwitschiapites minutus. dominant, viz., Plicatipollenites, Virkki• The preservation of the miospores is poor. pollenites, Divarisaccus, Parasaccites, Cruci• The assemblage shows dominance of mono• saccites, Potonieisporites, Vestigisporites, saccates, 'Apertacorpiti' and' Amphisaccati' Potonieisporites, Vestigisporites, Striatites, genera. Triletes are very scarce. This Faunipollenites, Platysaccus, Cuneatisporites. assemblage closely compares both in qualita• The trilete genera are extremely rare. tive and quantitative characters with the This miospore assemblage compares close• miospore assemblage of the Karharbari Stage ly to the assemblage described from the earlier described from Giridih (MAITHY, Karharbari stage of the Giridih (MAITHY, 1965e), Umaria (MAITHY, 1966a, 1968) 1965e), Umaria (MAITHY,1966a, 1968) and and Ganjra nalla beds (LELE & MAITHY, Ganjra nalla beds (LELE & MAITHY, 1969). 1969). MAITHY -PALAEOBOTANY AND STRATIGRAPHY OF COAL-BEARING BEDS 273

IV. Plant fossils exposed in the beds of Karharbaris. Glossopteris is a dominant Lobjee river c~ttting near RaJ'hara Colliery: constituent and is represented by three species. In addition to this the occurrence The fossiliferous outcrop is a ferruginous of the Barakar element Sphenopteris is noted sandy micaceous shale bed exposed on and which is also not uncommon. The flora surface several feet above the underlying shows the occurrence of Platycardia and coal-bearing sequence of the Daltonganj Samaropsis which is also known from the Coalfield. The plant fossil evidence from underlying beds. Thus, the fossil bed has an this horizon is as follows: mixed flora of the younger i.e. Barakars Phyllotheca crassa sp. nov., Sphenopteris and older beds, i.e. Karharbaris, however, polymorpha, Glossopteris communis, G. indica, the elements of the younger horizon are G. brownii, Samaropsis goraiensis and Platy• dominant. cardia jugus sp. novo This suggests that the bed is representing It is striking to note that the above either a transitional stage in between assemblage does not possess any plant Karharbaris and Barakars or the lowermost elements of stratigraphical significance, part of Barakars. Comparative flora was therefore, it is difficult to say with certainty recorded by Feistmantel (1879, p. 43) whether the outcrops belong to the Karhar• from the Lukme and Bhaddua hills of the baris or Barakars. The flora shows the Giridih Coalfield. These beds are supposed absence of Gangamopteris and Noeggera• to be representing topmost part of the thiopsis, the dominant elements of the Karharbari Stage.

REFERENCES

BOSE, 1\1. T. & KAR R. K. (1966). Palaeozoic Karharbari beds, Giridih Coalfield, . Ibid. sporae dispersae from Congo 1. Kindu Kalima 13(3): 248-263. and Walikale Region. Ann. lVIflS. R. beige Idem (1965e). Studies in the Glossopteris flora of N°. 53: 1-168. India-27. Sporae dispersae from the Karhar• FEISTMANTEL,O. (1879). Fossil flora of Gondwana bari beds, Giridih Coalfield, India. Ibid. system. The flora of Talchir-Karharbari beds and 13(3). supplement. Palaeont. indica Ser. 12. 3(1): 1-64. Idem (1966a). Studies in the Glossopteris flora of Idem (1881). Fossil flora of Gondwana System. India-33. Fossil plants and miospore from the The flora of the Damuda-Panchet Division. coal-bearing beds of the with Ibid. 3(2,3): 1-149. some remarks on the age of beds. Ibid. 14(1): Idem (1886). Fossil flora of Gondwana system. 52-60. Fossil flora of some of the coalfields in 'Western Idem (1966b). Palaeobotany and Stratigraphy of Bengal. Palaeont. indica Ser. 12. 4(2): 1-66. the Karharbari stage with particular reference LELE, K. M. (1964). Studies in the Talchir flora to the Giridih Coalfield, India. Sym. Flor. Str• of India. 2. Resolution of the spore genus ati. Gondwanaland: 102-109. Nuskoisporites Pot. & KI. Palaeobotanist. 12: Idem (1968). Studies in the Glossopteris flora of 147-168. India - Further contribution to the miospore LELE, K. M. MAITHY P. K. (1966). On the occur• assemblage of the coal-bearing beds of the rence of Karharbari plant fossils in Daltonganj Umaria Coalfield, Madhya Pradesh. Palaeo• and Jainti Coalfields, Bihar. Curro Sci. 35(16): botanist. 12(3) :270-272. 412-413. PANT, D. D. & NAUTIYAL, D. D. (1960). Some Idem (1969). Miospore assemblage of the Ganjra seeds and sporangia of Glossopteris flora from Nalla beds, South Rewa Gondwana Basin, , India. Palaeontographica. Madhya Pradesh with some remarks on the age 107: 41-64. of the beds. Ibid. 13(3): 298-309 SAKSENA,S. D. (1952). On a new species of Phyl• MAITHY, P. K. (1965a). Studies in the Glossopteris lotheca (P. sahnii) from the South Rewa Gond• flora of India-18. Gymnospermic seeds and wana basin, Central India and its comparison seed-bearing organs from the Karharbari beds, with P. etheridgei from the New Castle Series, Giridih Coalfield. Palaeobo/anist. 13(1): 45-56. New South ';Vales, Australia. Palaeobotanist. Idem (1965b). Studies in the Glossopteris flora of 1: 409-416. India-20. Noeggera/hiopsis and allied remains SAHNI, B. (1928). Revision of Indian Fossil Plants. from the Karharbari beds, Giridih Coalfield, Part 1. Coniferales (a. Impressions and Incrusta• Bihar. Ibid. 13(1): 89-103. tions). Palaeon/. indica. N.S. 9: 1-49. Idem (1965c). Studies in the Glossopteris flora of SURANGE,K. R. & KULKARNI, S. (1968). On two India-25. Pteridophytic and Ginkgoalean new species of Phyllotheca from the South Karan• remains from the Karharbari beds, Giridih Coal• pura Coalfield. Palaeobotanist. 16(1): 95-100. field, India. Ibid. 13(3): 232-247. TIWARI, R. S. (1965). Miospore assemblage in Idem (1965d). Studies in the Glossopteris flora of some coals of Barakar stage (Lower Gondwana) India-26. Glossopteridales remains from the of India. Ibid. 13(2): 168-214. 274 THE PALAEOBOTANIST

TOWNROW,J. A. (1955). On some species of Ph yl• Acad. Sci. 9: 7-12. lotheca. ]. Proc. R. Soc. N.S. W. 89: 39• VENKATACHALA,B. S. & KAR, R. K. (1966). Diva• 63. risaccus gen. nov., a new saccate pollen genus VIRKKI, C. (1945). Spores from the Lower Gond• from the Permian sediment of India. Ibid. wanas of India and Australia. Proc. Indian 15(1-2): 102-106.

EXPLANATION OF PLATES

(All specimens slides and negatives are preserved at the Museum, Birbal Sahni Institute of Palaeo• botany, Lucknow) PLATE 1 10. Inner cutiC'ie of the Rotundocarpus striatus Maithy. X 200. Slide No. 3189. 1. Phyllotheca crassa sp. novo An unbranched 11. Pla.tycardia jugus sp. novo A large numher stem showing attached leaf sheath at the node. of seerls in compressed state. X 3. Specimen No. Nat. Size. Specimen No. 33817/838. 33823/CJ47. 2. Phyllotheca crassa sp. novo An detached leaf 12. An macerated seed of Platycardia jugus sp. sheath. Nat Size. Specimen No. 33818/838. no\,. with outer and inner cuticle X 40. Slide No. 3. Phyllotheca crassa sp. novo An unbranched 3188. articulated stem with branched roots emerging from nodal zone. Nat. Size. Specimen No. 33819/838. 4. Sphenopteris polymorpha. Nat. Size. Specimen No. 33119/838. 5. Buriadia jragilis sp. novo An branched stem PLATE 3 with few leaves. Nat. Size. Specimen _TO. 33820/839. 6. Buriadia jragilis sp. novo An port.ion of branch with spirally arranged leaves. Nat. Size. 13. Plicatipolleniles bilateral'is sp. novo500.novoSlidex.X Specimen No. 33822/839. Slide No. 3192. 7. Buriadia jragilis sp. novo Apical portion of 14. Divarisaccus densusnovoXnovosp.novosp. novo an axis with spirally arranged unifid and bifid No. 3190. leaves. X 3. Specimen No. 33821/839. 15. Striatites haploxylonoides sp. 8. Rotuudocarpus striatus Maithy X 2. Specimen Slide No. 3190. No. 33824/839. 16-17. Alisporites haploxylonoides 500. Slide No. 3192. PLATE 2 18-20. Cuneatisporites densus sp. Slide O. 3191. 9. Outer cuticle of the Rotundocarpus striatus 21-22. Cttneatisporiles indica sp. Maithy. X 200. Slide No. 3189. Slide No. 3190, 3192. THE PALAEOBOTAN1ST, VOL. 17 MAITBY - PLATE 1

2

3

7 1\1AITHY - PLATE 2 THE PALAEO BOTANIST, VOL. 17

II

9 THE PALAEOBOTANIST, VOL. 17 MAITRY - PLATE 3

16

22