Correspondence. 281 



Magnetic oxide of iron occurs in Salem in great quantities, and some- 

 times in considerable masses, and is occasionally pounded and smelted 

 by the natives. 



There are no manufactures of cast steel in the Salem district, but in 

 Mysore and near Chungamah it is made in great quantities. The ac- 

 count given of the manufacture by Buchanan, and repeated by several 

 writers, I have reason to believe to be incorrect, the natives having de- 

 ceived him ; and indeed no chemist can ever believe that the account of 

 the process which has been published, could ever produce steel. Through 

 several natives, who have given me information on the subject, I be- 

 lieve the true process to be conducted by fusing together two parts of 

 wrought iron, and one of a kind of cast iron, which is obtained by 

 smelting an ore which I have not yet been able to procure. But on 

 this subject I shall be able to forward shortly to the Committee more 

 complete information. 



Gold is found in small quantities in the Salem district, at the base of 

 a range of hills not far from Salem, on the road to Sankerrydroog, 

 called the Kanjah Mally. At certain seasons of the year, after the 

 rains have fallen, a number of people find employment in washing and 

 separating it from the sand of a nullah. The quantity procured is 

 very inconsiderable, and I believe never at any time affords the 

 workmen a greater profit than eight annas a day. I have been 

 informed, that some years ago an officer, (Lieutenant Nicholson,) 

 was employed by the Government of Madras to investigate this 

 subject, and to ascertain the probable quantity of gold which is pro- 

 cured in several places in South India, particularly in Coimbatore, 

 and that several valuable reports were made upon this subject, which 

 might be procured on application to Government. 



Polishing slate is found either in the hills of Cuddapah, or else in 

 the Kurcumbaddy Pass, but I am not certain where, as the locality of 

 some specimens which have been sent me by a gentleman is not well 

 ascertained. 



What is generally called corundum, (the native coorunge), is found 

 in many parts of the Salem district, particularly near Indore, and also 

 in the Purmutty talook. It is collected by the natives while ploughing 

 the fields, and is sold at the rate of thirty pounds for six annas. 

 It is of two kinds, of a dirty red colour and of a dark grey, the 

 latter being considered the best. The general crystalline form is a hex- 

 agon terminated by six-sided prisms. It has a foliated structure, and 

 frequently imbeds bright shining grains of a metal, which I have not 

 yet been able to identify. 



