KHASI HILLS. 197 



tion (a) therefore, its quick combustion, and its irregular cleavage, I 

 conceive it to be at the least 5 to 7 per cent, inferior to good English 

 coal. As a gas-producing coal, it is superior to any English coal import- 

 ed, both as regards the quantity and purity of its gas. And with 

 proper precautions in burning it might yield a passable coke. 



But further, as regards any extensive or systematic working of these 

 mines, there is a condition at present attached to the authority under 

 which they are held, whicli, if continued in force, must effectually pre- 

 vent their being ecouomically worked. I allude to the clause in the 

 lease, by which the lessee is prevented from iuterferiug with any of the 

 subjects of the Cherra Rajah, who may extract coal on their own 

 account. So long as such be the case, no general system of operation 

 could be adopted, and no general arrangements for the ventilation and 

 security of tlie mines could be carried out, as these would be constantly 

 liable to interruptiou, at the caprice of any unskilled native, who might 

 fancy to work in one part of the hill in preference to another. In fact, 

 almost all the coal hitherto sent down from these mines has been pur- 



(a) By Mr. James Prinsep's analysis, the composition of Cherra coal was water 70, 

 volatile matter 37'1, carbon 62-0, ash 0'9 : while the average composition of good English 

 coal imported was volatile matter 3ro, carbon 67'3, ash 1-6. In a rude way these coals 

 may be taken to vary in value in the ratio of the ditFereut amounts of carbon contained, or 

 that Cherra coal is to English coal (average) as, 62 : 67'3. Specimens of coals from this dis- 

 trict were forwarded to the great Exhibition in London in 1851, and subsequently along with 

 others from India were submitted to very careful examination by Captain Henry C. James, 

 B. N. I., under the superintendence of Blr. Lewis Thompson, an eminent coal consulting 

 chemist, and with the ap|.iaratus of Mr. Evans of the Westminter gas works. The results of 

 these analyses, specially directed to tlie gas-producing qualities of the coals, are given below 

 as submitted by Captain James to the Government of Bengal in January 1854 : — 



There is no possibility now of ascertaining the exact locality from which these specimens, 

 given as from the "neighbourhood of Sylhet," and " Cossyah Hills," were obtained, and 

 further, it should not be forgotten that in all probability the specimens sent for exhibition 

 were far above the average quality of the coal which tliey were intended to represent, being 

 picked and selected masses. But neglecting all these considerations. Captain James' analyses 

 fully prove the value of the Khasi coal as a fuel, and more especially for the production of 

 gas yielding a clear and white flame. 



