THE COAL OF ASSAM. 27 



the sedimentary rocks in the hills bordering the valley are not likely to 

 be in demand during the present generation, and still less the strong 

 granite of Tezpoor and elsewhere. 



A good iron ore in a propitious place would be of incalculable value 

 to Assam. I regret that I can suggest no prospect 

 of such a discovery. I looked closely for iron- 

 stones among the shales of the coal-measures, but detected none. Fer- 

 ruginons symptoms are not wanting. The outcrops are sometimes 

 crnsted, and more or less penetrated, with irregular shells of iron oxyde ; 

 it is sometimes even abundant enough to supply a native forge, though I 

 do not know of its having been used. It seemed to me, however, to be 

 all due to superficial concentration. There is no doubt iron disseminated in 

 these shales : but a very moderate quantity, even that contained in the 

 form of pyrites, would by concentration and accumulation at the surface 

 produce the observed appearance, — it is a common effect of the disin- 

 tegration of rocks by atmospheric action. There seems to be a general 

 notion that any rustiness about soil or rock must indicate a useful iron 

 ore. One very fatal symptom may be noticed on this subject : at several 

 places along the foot of the hills, I saw Assamese smiths at work 

 making weapons and implements for the Nagas out of English iron."^ 

 The occurrence of gold in Assam seems to be a very general subject 

 of interest to the residents. It is, however, quite 

 in abeyance to tea-cultivation; the pursuit of it 

 may safely be left to those who have nothing better to do. The precious 

 metal does not seem to be more abundant than in several other parts of 



* The blowing apparatus used by these men is the most advanced I have yet seen in 

 native hands in India; it is probably borrowed from Burmah; one double-acting cylinder, 

 very simply contrived and well put together ; the piston rod is worked horizontally by hand ; 

 the only defect in principle is the want of external valves in the blast-pipes, the nozzles of 

 which deliver the blast side by side into one tuyere. There is thus at every stroke a very 

 considerable abstraction of air from the blast. 



( 413 ) 



