474 Account of the Golden Ore in Mysore. [Sept. 



The entrance of this mine is in a hollow place, about six feet below the 

 level of the surrounding tract, and lies nearly due west of Surim- 

 pally. It is in breadth two feet ; in length, four feet ; in perpendicular 

 depth, about 45 feet ; in extent, 56 feet. 



The upper stratum is composed of a black argillaceous earth, mixed 

 with gravel, about three feet deep, (No. 1.) Then succeeds a stratum of 

 dark-brown earth, mixed with stones, about six feet in extent (No. 2), 

 under this is a bed of hard clay, at some places in black and yellow 

 streaks, in an oblique direction ; about four feet deep, (No. 3.) Next fol- 

 lows on the north and west sides a bed of large black stones, of a hard, 

 compact argillaceous nature (No. 4); the stratum on the east and south 

 sides being of the same sort as (No. 2). Next follows a stratum of 

 black earth, mixed with gravel, about four feet in extent (No. 5), where 

 the mine ceases to descend perpendicularly, and where (as in the pre- 

 ceding one) a resting place is found. 



The mine then descends at an angle of about 20° from the foot, for 

 32 feet direct ; the stratum being composed of hard black clay (No. 6,) 

 in which are found two sorts of stones. The one similar to that de- 

 scribed No. 4, containing in the opinion of the natives no metallic sub- 

 stance whatever. The other being a hard white siliceous stone, about 

 which generally adheres a deep orange soft substance, which marks its 

 value to the miners, and generally appears where the stone splits as it 

 is broken (No. 7). 



[The particulars of two other mines differ in no material respect from the pre- 

 ceding ; they are accordingly omitted. 



In the Madras Literary Gazette for May 10th, 1834, appeared an interesting 

 editorial notice, derived from official documents, of the gold mines in the province 

 of Malabar, the first printed account, as it is stated, of these gold works. 



There is also a notice of the same mines in the Mechanic's Magazine for 

 1834, page 43, which states that although they became known to Mr. Duncan, Go- 

 vernor of Bombay, in 1793, they had remained neglected for forty years, until the 

 Madras Government lately issued an order for registering all gold found in the 

 collectorate of Calicut. Surveyors were also deputed to examine the district. 



The principal mines examined by the late Dr. Ward, according to his report, 

 were five miles S. W. of Nelambur : their depth, and the mode of working them, 

 resemble the foregoing description. The produce from 66 lbs. of the earth was about 

 one grain. The African sands sometimes yield as much as 36 in the same quan- 

 tity. The total quantity extracted per annum does not exceed 750 ounces, or 

 30,000 rupees value. The mines now worked are Cherankode, Devala, Nelyalam, 

 Ponery, and Pulyode, in the Wynaad district : the rivers Srupumjee, Polwye, 

 and Tirumpaddy rivers in Calicut ; Punaur and Malapuram rivers in Kur- 

 menad ; Pandalur and Aliparamb rivers in Nedinganad ; Kadalaondy and 

 Parpanangady on the sea shore in Shernad ; Kapil, Aripanad, and Tiriimaly 

 Hills in the Ernaad district ; besides twenty river works unnecessary to enume- 

 rate.— Ed.] 



