1841.] Report on the Soda Soils of the Barramahal. 159 



is preparing, for the latter an argued lamp is the best as it does not dis- 

 colour wax, a quantity must be dropped on a card sufficient to form the 

 seal, and then the whole re-heated and the warm lead pressed down while 

 the wax is very hot, but not so long as any air bubbles continue to rise^ 

 and it would be better to mix the wax with a thin bit of stick, drawing it 

 somewhat towards the centre ; the lead should not be removed until the 

 wax is quite hard, and then, if the operation has been carefully performed 

 the impression will be found as perfect as the coin itself. 1 have found 

 the common hard yellow wax of the bazaar to take the most legible 

 impression and would recommend the use of it in preference to any 

 other colour. 



I beg to suggest that the Society make a collection of such impres- 

 sions, which would be valuable as a means of reference, particularly in 

 the case of such coins as are taken from the country. They should not 

 be shut, up in a cabinet, but placed in frames, formed of a thick plank 

 bored with holes of a fit size and covered with a glass front fitting close 

 to the surface of the wood — the metal of the coin might be indicated, 

 as in engravings, by its initial letter placed between the impressions ; and 

 the legend written above it, the whole classed and arranged in chronolo- 

 gical order as far as possible. For the sake of uniformity the Society 

 might decide on a particular coloured wax to be used in all impressions 

 made for their collection, and the cards used should be left uncut, to be 

 subsequently fitted to the holes in the frames which, of course, would 

 be all of one size. 



The Society would thus have the benefit of a large collection without 

 any expense, and I have no doubt that every one who has a collection 

 w T ould gladly take the little trouble required to furnish copies of his coins. 

 I must repeat there is no danger of harming most coins, as my friend 

 Capt. Cunningham and myself have subjected our own to the ordeal 

 without injury. 



Report on the Soda Soils of the Barramahal. By Captain Camp- 

 bell, Assistant Surveyor General. 



Soda soils are very common in the principal plain of the Baramahal in 

 the Salem District, which is bounded on the North by the Hills of 

 Congoondy, on the East by the Jawaudy Hills, on the South by the 

 abrupt break in the levels at the Topoor Ghaut, and on the west by the 

 hills of Roycottah. 



In extent they are generally not more than about § a mile square j the 



