170 Proceedings of the Asiatic Society. [Feb. 



10. In therefore the existing deserted state of the country and under the 

 mistaken policy of its ruler, I fear Captain H ann ay will not be successful in 

 showing that the coal can be worked to advantage, and the great mineral wealth of 

 Upper Assam will therefore not be for the present available to the state. 



I have the honor to be, &c. &c, 

 Govr. Genl. Agent's Office, "1 R. Jenkins, 



Jorehath Ghat, 19th Feb. 1838. J Agent to the Govr. Genl. 



Specimens of coal and accompanying minerals from the neighbourhood 

 of Hazdrib&gh, were also presented by the same gentlemen on the part 

 of Dr. A. Drummond. 



The following is extracted from Mr. Drummond's report to the Medi- 

 cal Board on the subject : 



" Although I am fully impressed with the belief that Haz&ribdgh is a coal dis- 

 trict, it yet seems obvious, that no confirmation of such an opinion is likely to be 

 obtained till the ground has been opened to an extent sufficient for ascertaining the 

 poiut by actual examination. 



" It cannot therefore be certainly averred that coal exists at the places indicated 

 whence the minerals were taken, although such a supposition is highly probable. 



'* It is moreover strongly corroborated by other evidence. Coal is found in large 

 quantity to the south-east of Hazaribdgh at several places. The principal of these 

 is called Lugupuhar about 24 miles distant, whence a considerable quantity was 

 brought last year aud sold at Hazaribdgh, four maunds for the rupee. The approach 

 to it is however, highly dangerous, being situated in a jangal so extremely dense, 

 that tigers, hyenas, and other wild animals are in great abundance. Even at 

 Minkundgunge a hill about three miles south-east of Hazaribdgh, where I was 

 searching for lead and antimony ores reported to exist there, 1 was informed by 

 the villagers, that they had killed a tiger only eight days previous. I need there- 

 fore hardly observe that a guard on such occasions is almost indispensable. 



" The other places where coal is found are called Ruhana, Eeehauk, not Eeechauk, 

 and Luhio being also to the south-east and nearly equidistant with Lugupuhar. 



" I have not yet examined the strata in either of the above named places for the 

 reasons just assigned, but it is my intention to proceed thither by dak in a few 

 days, more particularly on account of fossils, of which I have not yet discovered 

 any remains, and no traces whatever of marine testacea or vegetables. 



" The discoveries of coal-beds made by the natives are more to be attributed to 

 chance, than to any ideas they entertain of coal being concealed under ground in 

 the vicinity of any particular strata. Those which have been discovered to the 

 south-east were laid bare by the gradual operation of mountain torrents and other 

 natural causes. Artificial means however, only can avail for the discovery of others, 

 which, from their situation are but little affected by fluctuations of weather and 

 might in the usual course require centuries even for their development. I now 

 proceed to the specimens forwarded, and begin with 



Series 1st. 



" These specimens were taken from an excavation in an elevated portion of 

 land about one and a half miles south from Hazaribdgh at the depth of about 80 or 

 100 feet below the original surface. The soil has been extensively broken up by 

 successive rainy reasons, and being skirted by a small river or nullah, to which the 

 descent is sudden, currents and torrents probably have been principally instrumen- 

 tal in causing the disruption in the surface alluded to. 



" The superior stratum of the original soil is about eight feet deep, of a red co- 

 lor, and consists of clay, sand, and gravel, with small fragments of mica intermix- 

 ed, much more abundant however in the 



" Supermedial stratum, just underlying the red soil, being occasionally of a black- 

 ish or blue aspect. This stratum consists of fragments of quartz and conglomerate, 

 siliceous and calcareous earths, variously disposed and alternating sometimes with 

 other earths. White sandstone is very abundant, being evidently decayed quartz, 

 with mica and lime combined, having a laminated texture, in some cases easily 

 crumbled according to its state of decay. This order appears to terminate in the 

 carboniferous group is my belief from specimen No. 1, which seems to be coal 

 imbedded in quartz. The coal however, is not only deprived of its bitumen, but 

 obviously contains an excess of earthy matter ; and to the absence of the one, 

 and presence of the other is probably owing its uninflamraability. Exposure to 

 the air may have contributed to its decomposition, and subsequent deprivation of 

 bitumen as in the first instance, while the presence of earthy matter, may be 

 assigned to the usual causes. The specimen was dug out as nearly as possible iD 

 its present state, the dark side being uppermost. 



