1838.] Proceedings of the Asiatic Society. 171 



11 Specimen 2 contains fragments found in great abundance in the vicinity of 

 No. 1, having also undergone a like decomposition. 



" Specimens 3, 4, and 5, alternate in the same bed with the former: specimen 

 6 being a species of oolite, (?) also from the surrounding strata. 



Series 2nd. 



" These specimens were taken from a ravine about 2 miles north-east from Hazd- 

 rib&gh, my belief of the existence of coal, in which, has been chiefly influenced by 

 the iron stone, (as in specimen No. 1,) which it contains in great abundance. It 

 alternates with the other specimens more or less near according to their numbers. 

 No. 10, however is a rare specimen. The ravine is situated near a granite hill, 

 and owes its formation to the same causes though acting in a less degree, which 

 have been already adduced as subsidiary in forming the others, or even piimeval. 



" The packet lettered A is a specimen of coal from Lugupuhar, the specimen letter- 

 ed B is from Luhio^ and was taken from the dried bed of a river, of which the distance 

 is about 20 miles south-east of Haz&rib&gh. There are three species of coal found at 

 the latter place, but B is the only one I have as yet procured. Having lately visited 

 Kueylee or Kuindree Ghat, about 14 miles north-west from Hazdrib&gh previously 

 unvisited by any European, I obtained some curious crystalline specimens of lime- 

 stone and silex, of which specimen C gives the prevailing character. Specimen D 

 was taken from an immense block of the prevailing rock of which it is charac- 

 teristic. 



" The Ghat is situated in a jangal so dense that two paces in front, a man was 

 employed to part bushes and grass, to allow my palkee (above which the grass 

 reached several feet) to proceed : even this mode at length was unavailing. I shall 

 defer a more particular account however of this place, till I shall have ascertained 

 the result of my present communication." 



The following extract of a letter from Dr. Helfer to Mr. Blundeli*, 

 Tavoy, 15th February 1838, was communicated by that gentleman 

 through Mr. Secretary Mangles. The specimens of ore, &c. had not 

 reached Calcutta. 



" Before I leave this place, I of course make a report up about all what has 

 been hitherto done. I have been very diligent since my last letter: I have made 

 one great excursion towards the east crossing over the Tenasserim river to the other 

 side of the ' supposed' boundary. My chief aim was the examination of the tin 

 mines, and I am greatly satisfied with them. They are very productive and very 

 extensive — only because the people do not understand to work them, and because 

 no European, who understands it, knows of them, they lie waste. But on a large 

 scale worked beginning with a capital of say twenty thousand rupees, one could be- 

 come soon a Millionaire." 



The whole country near the sea coast is abounding in capital iron ores, but the 

 best of all is one hour from Tavoy. You have probably heard that loadstone has 

 been found there ; well without knowing this when approaching Tavoy, I found close 

 to it or rather part of it a hill entirely composed of the very best specular iron 

 ore*. I visited since that time the place a second time to ascertain its quantity, 

 and found that it is unlimited. 



I am of opinion, that you may work this place not waiting for coal, nay I 

 think that charcoal is even cheaper. The place is only 25 minutes from the banks 

 of the Tavoy river, leading through paddy fields. If you get dug a canal by a 

 parcel of convicts through these fields on four feet broad, you have all done that is 

 required. Close to the banks you set up your iron foundry. Wood carried down 

 from the banks of the upper Tavoy river, is converted in loco into charcoal, and if 

 cut down only on the banks and thrown into the water will be indeed cheaper than 

 any other fuel. Vessels of a hundred tons burthen can approach the same banks, and 

 carry the pig iron, to any part of the world you like. Respecting situation 1 think 

 there is no place in the world so admirably situated, and a better quality you will 

 find nowhere. 



1 send some boxes with collections. As I do not return before the monsoon, I 

 would very much beg to have every thing soldered up, except the stone, otherwise 

 all the great trouble of collecting would be useless. 



I start from here to-morrow towards Mergui, — I intend to visit at first Taun~ 

 biauk and the Kiauktaun, afterwards Pali, from whence I wish to cross over to the 

 Tenasserim, to visit the sapan wood forests, and to go down that river to Mergui. 



No coal yet, but I am promised to get it in Pali. I have some hopes to find some 

 gold in the lower parts. If I have coal and gold, then you are conteut 1 know. 



* I have a fine specimen of a similar ore from an island south of Penang stated 

 to be entirely composed of it. — Ed. 



