2 Extract of a Letter from Dr. Jameson to Mr. Clerk. [No. 121. 



gical structure of the country, and at the same time to ascertain if 

 any coal worth working is to be met with. 



To the question, — Is any good coal likely to be found in quantity in 

 this district ? we would at once answer decidedly in the negative. 



In Europe, America, New Holland, &c. the bituminous coal alone is 

 met with in the carboniferous series of rocks. The oldest rock met 

 with between Jabalpore and Kalabagh is magnesian limestone ; resting 

 on it we have red sandstone of Europe ; on it red marl, in which 

 occur imbedded the rock salt and gypsum, or sulphate of lime, which 

 yields the celebrated plaster of Paris; and alternating with the red 

 marl at Kalabagh there is a white sandstone in which coal and sul- 

 phur occur, and alum slate from which alum is manufactured in large 

 quantities ; there being in the town fourteen manufactories. In a lime- 

 stone filled with organic remains, probably the equivalent of the Mus- 

 chelkalk of Germany, iron ores (red and brown hematite) occur, forming 

 enormous beds. On the banks of the river the sand is extensively wash- 

 ed for gold. And lastly, rock salt and gypsum occur, forming mountains 

 from five to six hundred feet in height. 



Such is a rapid account of the riches of this district ; and there are few, 

 if any districts in the world where iron, gold, sulphur, salt, gypsum, 

 limestone, saltpetre, and coal are met with in such quantity; and all that 

 is wanted to raise this to one of the most important cities in India, is 

 coal in quantity, enterprise, and a hand to guide. 



From the enumeration of the rocks above you will perceive that all 

 are newer than the carboniferous series, the position of the magnesian 

 limestone being immediately above that series in Europe. Sometimes 

 a conglomerate is met with between the sandstone of the coal formation, 

 but that is rare ; hence it is known by the local name of the Exeter red 

 conglomerate, Exeter being the locality where it is well developed. From 

 this fact we conclude, that no coal worth working will be found in this 

 district. Other seams may be found, and which may yield a few thou- 

 sand maunds, but no supply to any extent will ever be procured. The coal 

 now met with is partly brown coal (lignite) and partly jet, and not 

 true bituminous coal; it however is, from the experiments on a small 

 scale here made, well adapted for steam vessels, &c. burning as it does 

 with good flame, emitting much gas, and at the same time having but 

 a small quantity of earthy matter. 



