1841.] Report on the Island of Chedooba. 371 



better known, and better appreciated than now, when its value will in all 

 probability be much increased. 



I know not whether it has ever been thoroughly analyzed, but the 

 almost pungency of its scent seems to proclaim the presence of a large 

 portion of Naphtha. 



In composition it differs from the tar produced from the wells of Zante, 

 or the pitch of the Lake of Trinidad, partaking in all probability the cha- 

 racter of the oil, which is found in the wells of the lrrawaddy. The 

 material from these is in considerable use in our Tenasserim Provinces, and 

 its native country, as a preservative of wood from the attack of the white 

 ant, which it effectually prevents, and it is in considerable demand in the 

 construction and preservation of the wooden houses of those countries ; 

 affording reason to believe that this, its well known and well tried pro- 

 perty, might,with benefit, be more extensively made use of in other place?. 

 In a dwelling house perhaps an objection against the painting of the 

 beams with petroleum might be supposed to lie in its scent ; though 

 this may prove but a supposition, and at any rate it can form no objection 

 to its use in stores and godowns, and other buildings of that nature, 

 whether public or private. The expense annually incurred in Calcutta 

 for repairs, called for, from the above cause of destruction, where it is 

 necessary to examine, if not renew timber once in 3 years, seems at once 

 to point out an extensive sphere for the application of this, its valuable 

 property, in connection with which is also its employment in the pre- 

 servation of spars for shipping. 



The extension of the wells which are all situated in the jungles, and 

 an increase of their depth so as to hold water throughout the year, are 

 simple means by which this produce of Chedooba might be at once 

 largely increased to meet such extended demand, at present I believe 

 the use of the petroleum to be almost entirely confined to the limited 

 application it finds among the natives. The only other mineral produc- 

 tion it remains to notice is coal. This, or a lignite, was found about a 

 mile within the w r estern beach in the Circle of Tang-roa. 



It had been known for 2 years, and had been dug into, to a depth of 

 perhaps 5 feet without exhibiting any improvement over the sur- 

 face specimens. It was found shewing itself for a distance of 20 yards 

 in an east and west direction. Its situation, a little above the water 

 mark of a dry creek, formed by the first and second lines of Hills, and its 

 dip an angle of 45 into the body of the latter, which rose 800 or 1,000 

 feet above the spot where it was shewing. In formation it consisted of 

 a series of layers varying from-^ of an inch to 3 inches in thickness, se- 



