828 Mineral Resources of India. [No. 129. 



having seen the heaps of coal lying at Mudjea, in Pachete, on my way 

 to Jellda in 1782, I shall only further observe, that it was entirely 

 owing to that circumstance that I was led, upon receiving your letter, 

 to send people to the spot, to ascertain whether the heap of coal still 

 existed ; and also to make enquiry from the inhabitants as to the posi- 

 tive place from whence the coal was originally brought, and by whom. 



11 My people returned only a few days ago, and informed me, that 

 owing to the floods, the bank at the village of Mudjea had been cut 

 away, and that the coal in consequence had fallen into the river, and 

 spread in different directions to a very considerable distance ; that the 

 inhabitants, in the prosecution of their enquiries, from fear or other 

 causes, shewed great reluctance at answering any questions. But they 

 at last met with an aged Bramin, who informed them, that the coal 

 had been brought by Mr. Heatly, from a place named Chenacoory, 

 and also from a spot situated in the Jungle of Damaully. The places 

 are represented as being within nine coss of Mudjea, on the same side 

 of the river, to the westward. It appears to me possible, that Kissen- 

 cooney, marked in Rennell's map No. 7, is the same village specified 

 by the Bramin; because the distance of that village from Mudjea 

 agrees nearly with the Bramin's name of Cheenacoorey, and this is 

 more likely, as the names of villages throughout Rennell's maps are 

 frequently strangely disfigured by the mode of spelling. 



" The stratum of coal is stated to be in the bed of the river, on the 

 verge of the river, lying in flakes, and to be very abundant. The 

 sample of coal which I have sent accompanying is brought from below 

 the village of Mudjea, and taken up from the bed of the river, and i3 

 doubtless part of the heap originally collected at that place. Upon 

 inspection, it will appear evident, that it must have laid in the water 

 for a very considerable period, as the angles are in some pieces much 

 fretted and worn off, and in others totally destroyed. I am much 

 vexed that my people did not proceed to Cheenacoory, as they ought 

 to have done. I have sent them back to ascertain the veracity of the 

 Bramin's assertion, and expect that they will return in a few days. 



" I shall not presume to offer any scientific opinion as to the quality 

 of the coal, but merely state, that on a trial, I found that it burnt 

 extremely well, afforded a very strong heat, and leaves a residum that 

 is very considerable, compared with the original bulk. 



