1842.] of the Damoodah Valley . 729 



many places in that distance, until it is found where the Benares 

 road crosses this stream, and within two miles of the Assensole 

 dawk bungalow. 



Although there are no great impediments to the present works by 

 faults, still they exist around and within these collieries to some extent, 

 and it is evident from the view any scientific person would take of it, 

 that but for such dykes, this noble vein would discover itself in many 

 other places; but no where between these collieries, and those of Sin- 

 gharun is there any visible traces, though beyond a doubt the vein lies 

 beneath the whole extent of ground between these nullahs. Higher up 

 this nullah about one mile, and near to the village of Damooleah, the 

 coal is also worked ; it was originally opened and worked by Mr. Jessop 

 and its produce carted to the Damoodah; its proprietary right is now 

 vested in, and exercised by, Messrs. Carr, Tagore and Co. Higher up 

 the nullah, and near to the Benares road, there is another opening by 

 the same proprietors, called Moishla or Damarah, the produce of which 

 is carted about two and a half miles to the Damoodah. Between this 

 locality and the Damoodah near to Cheluad, a pit has been sunk 100 

 feet, and has passed through two small veins of coal similar to those 

 found on the opposite, or south-western bank of the river at Salmah, 

 where a pit was commenced to be sunk by me in 1831, and after a 

 cessation of two years, has been continued until the present time, June 

 1842. It has reached a depth of above 210 feet, and has passed through 

 seven different veins of coal, and one of iron-stone. None of these veins, 

 however, are of a description that would warrant mining operations 

 thereon, varying in thickness from 16 inches to three feet only, and are 

 of an inferior quality. I am still sinking, with a view to attain a vein 

 of about seven feet thickness, and of excellent known quality. The 

 strata which have been passed through in this pit, are the usual ones of 

 sand-stone and shale, but differing from any others that I have met 

 with in this country, and approaching closely to those in the English 

 coal fields. The grain of the rock assimilates, and the characters which 

 usually distinguish fruitful mineralogical strata are all present, whilst 

 those met with in the sand-stone of the other collieries, are very unlike 

 the usual ones accompanying coal in England, although the shales 

 are similar, and contain the usual floriform and herbaceous impressions 

 of vegetables ; these are also here found both in the shales and in the 



