1841] Despatch from Lieut. H. Bigge. 133 



Watkins, as in the event of their proving genuine, would greatly enhance 

 the value of the springs and quarries. 



The salt springs which are 3 in number are situated 250 yards to the 

 north of the Nambur Nuddie, in a small circular space, surrounded by 

 forest, but are neither so hot or apparently so strong of brine as that 

 we first saw. The temperature being as follows. 



In the shade, . . 64° air. 



Large spring, 95° water. 



Smaller one, , 98° 



The difference between the larger and smaller springs being doubt- 

 less caused by a small stream of water flowing into it. 



In the time of the Assam Rajahs, it appears, these salt springs were 

 regularly worked, and the water dammed up for the purpose, as the re- 

 mains of the parts which formed the dams are visible in the stream, 

 which falls into the well, as also in that which carries off the water. 



The limestone, of which I send specimens, is found in the bed of 

 the Nambur Nuddie, close to the salt spring, where it appears at the 

 clay ; as also in the small stream above mentioned, which runs through 

 the larger spring about 200 yards further up, and beyond which, about 

 \\ a mile, is found pipe-clay, some detached pieces of which I saw, 

 but had not time, on a second visit to these wells, to reach the beds. 



It is a curious fact perhaps, that a large quantity of small fish, inhabit 

 the larger of these wells, and it was a subject of much regret, that I was 

 unable to procure any, as specimens, as it could not but have been sa- 

 tisfactory to ascertain, what description of fish these were, which delighted 

 in such a temperature and in such water. 



The only drawback to the effectually working these spring, and lime- 

 beds, for a certain number of months during the year, appears to be the 

 want of conveyance to the Dhunsiri river, and I think it might be worth 

 the experiment of making an outlay, on the part of Government, of 2 

 or 300 rupees to effect the same, either by cutting a road through the 

 forest, or by erecting Batahs (or dams) in the river, so as to allow of 

 its becoming navigable for small boats, which might easily be dragged 

 over the slight falls when empty, and as easily taken down when laden, 

 a practice much in use on the Dying river of Cachar, as you have had 

 opportunity of observing. 



Should such a proposition meet with the approbation of Government, 

 I believe Mr. Herring would be happy to devote a considerable degree 

 of attention and minor expense, so as to render these wells far more 

 valuable than they otherwise can become, by sinking shafts at a little 



