Chap. VIIT.] economic geology. 155 



furnace. What tlic effect of this may be cannot Ije clearly siatccl. No 

 ^1"^- flux is jusecl. 



The ordinary cliarge for one of these furnaces is about 18 lbs, of ore, 

 and the smelting occupies two to three hours. The average outturn is three 

 blooms in the 12 hours, four men being required to work the furnace; 

 but the furnaces are never worked continuously. In some parts/ larger 

 furnaces are used, and the charge for each smelting amounts to 85 lbs. 

 of ore. 



The process of refining* the metal thus obtained consists merely in 



heating the bloom several times, and subjecting it 

 Refining, 



to a good hammering, by which the slag is in great 



measure got rid of. It is then hammered into rude bars about 1 foot 



in length and about 2 inches in width. From these bars the ' Wootz' 



or Indian steel is prepared. Of the processes Mr. Heath has given a very 



good account in the 5th Volume of the Journal of the Royal Asiatic 



Society. 



The best iron is said to be made near Ranseporum, where the 

 richest ores are worked, obtained from the Kunjamullay, and the great 

 iron bed of the Vailoocoorchy hill. The taluqs of Ahtoor, Namkul, 

 Kistnagherry, Suukegherry, and Salem are those in which the largest 

 amount of iron is made. 



We have already noticed that the manufactm'e is decreasing, chiefly 



in consequence of the great increase in the price of 

 Amount of iron made. . . ,.... 



charcoal, owing to the serious diminution of the 



forests under the wasteful practices of the natives ; and also to the great 

 general increase in the price of all necessaries of life, which has compelled 

 many to give up the trade of their forefathers for more lucrative employ- 

 ments ; and also in consequence of the increased facilities in obtaining 

 English iron, since the opening of the Railway. In 1860 a Motiu'pha tax 

 of Rs. 1,210-12-7 was raised on 775 fm-naceS; while in 1859^ 928 furnaces 

 yielded Rs. 1,451-1-7. 



(377) 



