ECONOMIC GEOLOGY. 



Like the true sedimentary coast laterite, the Deccan iron clay is soft 

 and sectile below the surface and hardens subsequently on exposure ; they 

 agree also in being very variable in their resistance to crushing power, 

 so that they are not trustworthy for structures of large size. 



Konkan Laterite (Iron-clay) , 

 The Konkan laterite is worked to a small extent^ where richly hsema- 

 . titic, as an iron ore, and is smelted in small clay-built furnaces, of one of 

 which the annexed figures show the elevation and section from drawings 

 by Mr. Wilkinson. 



These small furnaces, -called '' battis," are used in many parts of the 



small state of Sawant Wad. When 

 charged, the elliptical or rectangu- 

 lar-shaped opening in front is 

 closed by a mass of soft clay in 

 which two holes are left for the 

 passage of the two tuyeres which 

 are directed downwards. The 

 third hole at the top is left open, 

 but is closed with a lump of clay 

 when reduction is taking place 

 and the contents are sinking down, 

 eing opened from time to time 

 for the passage of an iron rod 

 to push down the contents of 

 the furnace. The ore is hrst 

 crushed into a coarse powder and 

 then placed in alternate layers 

 with the charcoal ,• the lowest 

 course consisting of charcoal. 



Alluvial Deposits. 

 Nodular kankar or calcareous 

 tufa is used largely for lime 



NatiTe smelting furnace used in Sawant W&ri. 



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