KHASI HILLS. 183 



water near the bank, to be again re-shipped into larger boats for 

 conveyance to the place of manufacture. 



In that portion of the hills which lies more immediately to the South 

 of Cherra Poonjee, the largest quarries are near 



Locality of quarries. ■• ■^^ cm 



the Village of Tungwai or Tingye, from which 

 the stone is brought to the neighbourhood of Pondua, to be again 

 removed from thence to Chattuc. Other very large- quarries are in the 

 vicinity of the great orange groves between Teria-ghat and Lacat, from 

 which also the stone is conveyed to Chattuc for burning. 



The whole of this limestone belongs to the nummuhtic group. It 

 varies but slightly in mineral character, and produces a good, sound, but 

 not very strong lime, of good colour, and which slacks readily. Some of 

 the beds are magnesian, and more giitty in aspect, and the lime from 

 these is somewhat darker in tint than that produced by the purer beds. 



At present, the only fuel employed in burning this limestone is wood 

 or reeds (called nal), principally the latter, which 



Fuel used ; form of ii i. j ■ • , ■ • ,. 



kilns. are collected in immense quantities from the 



extensive jheels in the vicinity. The kilns are 

 placed on the banks of the river, which are cut down perpendicularly 

 for some feet to form tlie face, in which the opening into the lower part 

 of the kiln is made. The excavation is circular in jjlan, and nearly 

 semi-globular in shape ; and generally of sufiEicient size to take, when piled 

 up, from 500 to 700 mauuds of stone. After ignition each kiln is, in 

 ■ordinary weather, allowed to burn for about four days and nio-hts, when 

 the burnt lime is removed from the kiln, at the top. The kiln, if sound 

 is then again charged, again lighted, and, after a sufficient interval, 

 again emptied. 



The system, in ordinary use in Europe, of drawing the lime from the 

 bottom of the kiln, and replacing it by fresh stone 



Mode of burning. i i- i i 



and luel at the top, so as to keep up a coniinued 

 combustion as long as required, is quite unknown in this district. Such a 



