88 TAICHEER COAL FIELD. 



portion of the ore, viz., as concretions readily separated by a blow of 

 the hammer from the surrounding matrix, requiring, therefore, com- 

 paratively little expense to be incurred in picking the ore, and its mode 

 of arrangement, spread over the country in nearly horizontal beds, 

 intersected by streams. 



From these advantageous circumstances, it seems clear, that the ore 

 might be delivered at much less cost than the clay ironstone of 

 the Damoodah valley. And We may indulge a hope, that at some not 

 far distant period, we may, under an improved system, see the skilful and 

 productive manufacture of iron (at once the means and the evidence of 

 civilization) effectively carried on in this part of the Talcheer district. 



Gold is occasionally washed in the Tikiria Eiver, and was also a few 

 years since obtained from the sands of the Ouli. 

 The latter case is rather interesting, since the loca- 

 lities are in a sandstone country, through which the Ouli mainly flows. 

 It is said by the natives that the metal is only found after very heavy 

 rains, and the quantity collected must be very small. 



The method employed is to wash the sand of the river in an oblong 

 wooden dish, about 27 inches long and 12 broad (li x | cubit), or 

 occasionally on the surface of a large stone hollowed to the same shape 

 as the dish. In either case, a small depression is made about the centre, 

 in which the gold is collected. 



On the upper course of the Brahmini River, in the Pal Lahara 

 especially, gold is said to be worked to a considerable extent, but time 

 did not allow of these washings being visited. 



Diamonds are procured from the sands of the Mahanuddi River, 



which adjoins the district described on the South, 

 Diamonds. 



but we believe only rarely, and in no quantity. 



