of a Route from Madras to Bellary> in 1822. 441 



two rocks then continued to alternate with each other to the 

 foot of the second ghaut, which, like all the former, was com- 

 posed of clay-slate, capped with quartzose sandstone. Lime- 

 stone of a yellowish white colour was found in considerable 

 quantity near the top of the ghaut. This high land appears 

 to extend far to the north and south, and uninterrupted by 

 hills ; but on the west side, at the distance of three or four 

 miles, was bounded by a chain of hills, running also nearly 

 north and south, and marking the termination of the second 

 tract of clay-slate. This line of hills appeared to be composed 

 of clay-slate and the quartz sandstone, but neither of them 

 exhibiting, at a distance, those distinct stratified appearances 

 hitherto so common. The route lies over a low part of the 

 chain, and almost immediately afterwards all traces of clay- 

 slate disappear. The last rock, connected apparently with that 

 formation, was a sandstone conglomerate, precisely similar to 

 those singular nodules picked up between Naggery and Poo- 

 toor, and which here constituted two or three entire hills. Close 

 to the road, a small open space of level ground, not more than 

 three hundred yards wide, separated them from another small 

 group of hills composed wholly of granite. 



From this point commences the fifth, or granite division, the 

 rocks prevailing, I believe, over the whole remaining interval 

 to Bellary. I can, however, only speak with perfect certainty 

 of the first fifteen or twenty miles, and of the last eight, having 

 passed over the remaining part at night. The trap dykes, 

 holding their usual course, were very common during the first- 

 mentioned portion of granite. 



Regarding the ceconomical purposes to which the several 

 rocks met with in the course of the foregoing route might be 

 applied, I believe I shall best consult the pleasure of the So- 

 ciety in simply referring to the specimens which have been for- 

 warded. These, although individually extremely small, may 

 enable persons better acquainted with the subject than myself, 

 to form a judgement of the probable degree of their utility. 

 The principal rocks, granite, trap, sandstone, schistus, and 

 limestone, were, it will have been observed, in great abun- 

 dance, and in considerable variety, even on the high road ; but 

 a little inquiry would probably discover numerous other vari- 

 eties, more useful, as well as more ornamental. The limestone 

 particularly, of which there would appear to be a great variety, 

 in colour as well as texture, from its facilities of working, 

 would seem to merit some attention. I have seen some very 

 handsome tablets of black or dark blue limestone from Kur- 

 nool. It has already been noticed, that the whole of the plain 

 between the meridians of Kurnool and Cummum, and from 



New Series. Vol. 4. No. 24. Dec, 1828. 3 L the 



