182 KHASI HILLS. 



From this stone tliere have been burnt by 

 natives, who have for the most part purchased 

 the stone from Messrs. IngUs and Co. on the 

 average of ten years, annually, Maunds. 12,3-t,000 



By Messrs. Ingiis and Co., „ l,-57,000 



„ Messrs. Stark, Sarkies, &c., „ 80,000 



Giviiig a total average amount of lime, ... „ 14,71,000 



The whole of this very large amount is quarried from the several 

 places along the foot of the hills, where the limestone occurs close 

 to the level of the plains, and from whence it can be removed by 

 water. The quarrying of the stone is carried on at all seasons, but 

 chiefly during the spring, and cold months ; and the stone, broken 

 into pieces of convenient size, is piled up in suitable localities until 

 the rains in May, June and July fill the little streams from the hills 

 sufficiently to float the small dinghies or canoes which are here used. 

 As soon as this takes place, every available , boat is at once employed for 

 the removal of the stone into the larger streams. It is scarcely joossible 

 to conceive a busier scene than the neighbourhood of some of these 

 large quarries presents after a good fall of rain. Hundreds of men and 

 women are actively engaged loading their canoes, and then rapidly shoot- 

 ing down the narrow stream, while others are hastily poling the empty 

 boats returning up the current again to load, and shoot down the rapids 

 with their freight of stone. 'The whole place seems alive with eager 

 workmen, who, from experience, know well the necessity of taking 

 advantage of the rapid rise of the waters. So sudden is the fall of these 

 little nullahs, that even the light canoes, which draw only a few inches 

 of water, are frequently left stranded in the middle of their course. 



In this way the greater portion of the stone is removed from the 

 quarries, these small dinghies carrying the limestone only into the 

 larger streams where all is quickly thrown on the bank, or into the 



