94 GEOLOGY OF TniCIIIXOPOLY, &C, [Ch.VP. IV. 2_ 



]>y tlie late energetic and deserving^ though unsuccessful, Mr. Isidore 

 Heath, the projector of the old Porto Novo Iron Company. The mine, 

 which is now abandoned, consisted of several rectangular vertical shafts, 

 from 40 to 50 feet in depth, joined by a galleiy at the bottom, which 

 would appear to have followed the direction of the vein."^ 



When visited in 1861, it was inaccessible from above ; it could not 

 therefore be ascertained whether or not the vein had been exhausted, and 

 no opportunity has since occurred of re-visiting the spot. The chromate, 

 judging from one or two hand specimens picked up near the pit mouth, 

 occurs in a true vein or lode, sending off minute strings into the sui-- 

 rounding mass. The specimens in question were not sufficiently large, 

 howeverj to speak decidedly as to the absence or presence of any gangue 

 or vein-stone. 



The minef is said to have been abandoned for two reasons, Istly, a 

 failing of the demand for the chromate ; 2ndly, the great difficulty of 

 keeping the mine clear of water ; but we cannot vouch for the truth of 

 either one or other of the above reasons. 



Lastly must we enumerate, among the minerals associated with the 

 magnesite in several parts of the two areas, a mineral which may have 

 been one of the sources whence the magnesite was derived, namely, talc. 

 This occurs commonly in the altered rock in strings and scales near 

 Carupoor village, close to where the railway crosses the Salem and Banga- 

 lore road. Very pretty silvery-white and greenish scales of talc are 

 numerous also in the somewhat kunkur-like rock occurring a few hundred 



* It is impossible now to determine accurately the direction of tlie underground 

 workings in the galleries, but in all probability they headed north-north-east and south- 

 south-west, indicating the direction of the metallic vem. 



f The easiest way to reach the mine from Salem is to follow the path nmning north- 

 wards past the western side of the Nagra MuUay, leaving the south area of the magnesite 

 veins on the left, and crossing the bottom of a tank. The mine is easily found by the tall 

 furnace chimney which still stands close to the shafts, a relic of the old works. 



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