1842.] Asiatic Society. 471 



H. Torrens, Esa. 



Secretary, Asiatic Society. 

 Sir,— I have to report upon the specimen of limestone from Darjeeling referred to the Museum 

 by Lieutenant Broome, that it is a very pure stalagmitic limestone, containing ninety-eight 

 per cent, of pure carbonate of lime, the remainder consisting of traces of iron, minute portions of 

 silex, and some animal and vegetable matter, to which its colour is owing. 



2. On a large scale, the produce may be somewhat less if it is found that fragments of other 

 rocks are imbedded in it ; ours having one or two small fragments of common serpentine ; but this 

 will make but little difference in its value as a useful limestone. 



3. As this is so very pure, and differs so much from the kunkurs in appearance, and by the 

 absence of silex and iron, I have called it a stalagmitic limestone. If found in a cave, it is possible 

 the original rock may not be far off, and that organic remains will be found beneath the floor of the 

 cavern : both should be carefully searched for. , 



I am, Sir, 



Your obedt. servt. 

 Calcutta, 4th May, 1842. H. Piddington, 



Superintendent, Museum Economic Geology. 



Report of the Superintendent of the Museum of Economic Geology for the 

 month of April. 



Museum Economic Geology.— We. have nothing to report here for the present month, it being use- 

 less to undertake any arrangement when we should have to break it up again in the approaching 

 removal of our cases to the rooms downstairs which are to be appropriated to them, and these 

 must first undergo considerable repairs. 



I have drawn up a Circular, explaining in a popular style the beneficial objects of the institution, 

 with its wants, which our Secretary has sent to the Press, and I hope it will be ready to be sub- 

 mitted at our next meeting. 



Geological and Mineralogical Departments. — We continue our arrangements here, and I am glad 

 to report amongst them, that after a persevering search, the recovery of sixty-eight specimens out of 

 seventy-seven, comprising the splendid and unique chronological series of Lavas from Vesuvius, 

 from the Cabinet of the King of Naples, which was presented to the Society by our late President 

 the Honorable Sir Edward Ryan. The catalogue of this series, with a translation, is in the hands of 

 the Printers. In anticipation also of our now receiving Captain Herbert's catalogues from Mr. 

 Batten, I have commenced arranging his series according to their numbers. I am also pro- 

 ceeding with the large Geological series mentioned in my last. 



Museum Economic Geology,— The donations have been two bottles Sulphur water from the White 

 Sulphur springs of Greenbriar County, Virginia, by the Agricultural Society. 



A specimen of the best German Lithographic Stone, from Messrs. Ballin and Co. 



Geological and Mineralogical. — A specimen of silicified wood from Van Diemen's Land ; and 



A stalagmitic ball from Chirra Poonjee, from F. Heatley, Esq. 



H. PlDDINGTON, 



50th April, 1842. Superintendent, Museum Economic Geology. 



For these Presentations and Contributions the thanks of the Society were accorded. 





