1835.] Analysis of Nellore Copper ores. 575 



From a pamphlet published at Madras, we learn that the copper 

 mines in the Nellore and Cuddapah districts were discovered about 

 40 years ago, by Mr. Benjamin Hayne, whose report to Govern- 

 ment, inserted in his Tracts on India, gives the fullest and most 

 satisfactory account of thenu From this pamphlet, we glean the 

 following particulars of the locality, and of the quality of the ore. 



" The districts on the coast in which copper ores have been discovered are 

 those of the Calastry and Vencatagherry zemindaries, and the Udygherry Jaghire, 

 in the zillahs of Nellore and Duppaud, and other places in the ceded districts. 



" The principal mining places are at the distance of about 30 miles N. W. from 

 Nellore, 30 miles from the sea, about the latitude of Ramapatam, and about 

 40 miles N. E. from Cuddapah. 



" Several rivers run right through it on their way to the sea from the western 

 hills, of which the Pillapeyroo, Vuppovagoo, and Manyroo form a junction not 

 far from Guramanypenta, the principal mining place, and form a pretty large 

 river, which is said to have a good deal of water throughout the year. Its beds are 

 very stony, which seems in the eyes of the natives the greatest objection against 

 its being made navigable for boats : it deserves therefore an accurate survey. 



" The general aspect of the country is barren, and uncomfortable in the ex- 

 treme : large trees are only found in and near the villages ; and on the wide 

 extended plains, on both sides of the river, nothing encounters the eye, but here 

 and there a small thorny shrub. The grass, which, in the rainy season, every 

 where else carpets the country with a refreshing green, is here both scanty and 

 of the poorest kind, a species of " aristida," which, as the name implies, is a 

 compound of long beards or bristles. This is the case in most mining countries ; 

 the surface of the soil contains in many places so much salt, that the inhabit- 

 ants could make enough, if allowed to do so, for their own consumption. 



"To the eastward, the country is open ; only here and there a few low hills are 

 to be seen ; but to the westward, there are ranges of hills, the nearest at the dis- 

 tance of about 10 miles. Due west is one called Malla-coudah, from being the 

 highest hill in the range. It is said to abound with wood. The Udygherry 

 mountains are to the south-west, about 16 miles, and the highest in this part of 

 the country : the highest point I take to be about 3000 feet above the level of 

 the low country : I have seen myself, that plenty and large wood grows there, 

 particularly between the valleys. 



11 About 20 miles on the way to the sea, in the direction of Ramapatam, are ex- 

 tensive jungles, consisting of — 1. Korra, Panicum italicum, L. 2. Aruga, Paspalum 

 tomentacium, L. 3. Woolava, Glycene tomentosa, L. 



" This country is, geologically speaking, of a primitive description ; the general 

 rock formation is a mica-slate, of different colors and consistence. It shews it- 

 self first in the low country, at the distance of about 15 miles east from the 

 hills ; it forms sloping mountains, which are often capped with horn-stone slate, 

 which passes into sand-stone, and on the other hand, into jasper. The tabular 

 summits and mural precipices of the Udygherry hills consist of the latter stone 

 kind : the layers or strata of the mica-slate occur in different positions, and incli- 

 nation to the horizon ; often in the low country forming a right angle with it ; on 

 and about the Udygherry hills, the strata appear in the utmost confusion, as if 

 thrust by force out of their proper position. Traces of copper ores are often found 

 4 E 2 



