854 Report on specimens of Coal. [Oct. 



of the polish, hut it is developed by a little acid, or washing. Some frag- 

 ments have a flat striated structure like lignite ; these are less bright 

 in color, and heavier ; they burn with copious flame, and some 

 emission of sparks. The water given out on the sandheat, is 3.5 in 

 the first and 5.4 in the second sort. 



Specific gravity No. 1, of No. 2 



1.227 1.481 



Composition — Volatile matter, 49.1 48.6 



Carbon, 48.5 45.3 



Earthy matter, ferruginous,.. 2.4 6.1 



100.0 100.0 



Specimen 11. — Stated in the letter accompanying it to have been 

 « found in the Mandi hills north of the Sutlej, by Captain Wade, Poli- 

 tical Agent at Loodiana" 



The tin box, on arrival, was found to contain fragments of coal, and 

 some large nodules of iron pyrites, the hardness of which had shatter- 

 ed most of the coal to atoms on its way down. Some pieces, however, 

 were picked out, which had a very promising appearance, more resem- 

 bling the Burdwan coal than any of the above. Some pieces, how- 

 ever, were attached to black silicified, or fossil, wood, which at first 

 sight might be mistaken for excellent coal. It had a sulphurous smell 

 from the pyrites, and from the analysis I fear it is much adulterated 

 with this mineral. From its aqueous contents, 7.8 per cent., it scin- 

 tillates a good deal in burning, and the flame is peculiarly coloured 

 from the presence of metals. 



The specific gravity is 1.580 and the composition of a selected piece. 



Volatile matter, 48.1 



Carbon, 39.3 



Ferruginous residue from the 



pyrites ? 12.6 



100.0 



More information will be desirable regarding this Sutlej coal, which 

 promises to be a valuable addition to our now extended catalogue of 

 Indian coal deposits : but its locality at Mandi, is too far from the 

 limits of navigation, to allow of its being brought practically into use. 



J. Prinsep, Assay Master, 



