424 Gcoloyical Sketch of the Neilgherries. [Aug, 



The next species of iron ore on the Neilgherries is the haematitic, 

 forming immense heds, and sometimes whole hillocks, among the 

 hornblende rocks, and sienitic granite. In all the places where it is 

 found, large blocks of this ore are seen projecting through the soil, 

 having a scabrous, cellular, and sometimes cavernous appearance at 

 the surface. 



As this rock resembles very much the laterite of this part of India, 

 I shall be more particular in describing its geological position and 

 association, in order that it might be seen whether it ought to be 

 classed with the laterite of the low lands, or among the iron ores 

 found in many other parts, associated and in veins, in primitive dis- 

 tricts. 



Before entering into the description of this rock, I must remark, 

 once for all, that the position and association of the rocks on the 

 Neilgherries is not so easily ascertained, and clearly seen, as in other 

 localities of India, on account of the enormously thick stratum of red 

 earth and vegetable soil, which cover uniformly the whole plateau. So 

 that we are often reduced to the necessity of judging of the nature of 

 the rock composing the hills, by the few projecting masses at the top, 

 or on its declivities. 



It is for this reason, that I am unable to say positively whether the 

 rock I am going to describe be overlying, or one of those metalic veins 

 which traverse the original rock ; although I have more than one 

 reason to surmise, that the last is the position of this ferruginous ore 

 on the Neilgherries. 



All I have been able to ascertain regarding this ore, maybe detailed 

 by describing one or two of the localities, where this formation is 

 seen developed in a more marked manner than any where else on the 

 Neilgherries. 



The most extensive formation of this hsemalitic iron ore is seen on 

 both sides of what I shall call Scotland Valley*. It is the valley 

 through which the superfluous waters from the lake discharge them- 

 selves into the Moyar river. This valley runs nearly E. and W. above 

 two hundred yards below the bund of the lake ; close to the left bank 

 of the stream, we see a large block of compact iron ore jutting through 

 the soil (No. 27). Proceeding westward along the right bank of the 

 torrent, for about a quarter of a mile, we come to a place where the 

 stream is joined by another flowing from the S. W. On both sides 

 of this river (until we come to this junction), the projecting rocks, 



* Sir Frederick Adam, our present Governor, while on the hills, used to call 

 it by that name, on account of a resemblance he saw in it to some place in 

 Scotland, , . • 



