1839.] On the Coal % Iron Mines of Tdlcheer % Ungool, $c. 143 



but I should think that on mining, any quantity could be obtained, 

 and at little cost, from its being so near the surface, and labor cheap 

 in the extreme. It possesses, further, great advantages in being so near 

 to a navigable river. 



I shall treat hereafter on the method of working the mines, and of 

 transporting the coal, &c. in a separate paper at the close of my 

 report. 



Coalfields of the Hingolai Tacooranee at Mungulpersdd. 



Of the two coal fields exposed to view, and which were visited by 

 me, that which I have called the " Tacooranee" is the more extensive. 

 It is laid bare by a broad nulla passing through it, called the "Sungur- 

 ra," it comes from the hills in Ungool, in a south-westerly direction, 

 and is about thirty yards wide, having a sandy bed. The coal appears 

 on either side alternately, for a distance of upwards of a mile, the beds 

 averaging from five to fifteen feet and more in height from the level of 

 the sand. This coal (like that at Talcheer) rests against the sandstone, 

 and in some places passes into it, apparently mixing with it. The 

 quality of the mineral varies very considerably, as will be seen by the 

 numerous specimens presented to the Committee. 



In one spot the coal has apparently been reduced to ash by volcanic 

 action for a space of fifty yards, and upheaved above the common level 

 of the contiguous beds ; it is bounded at each extremity by dykes 

 of white rock. 



The superstrata vary in kind and thickness ; in some places there is 

 blue clay, above which is marl and shingle ; in others, simply marl 

 and iron ore, laterite, and shingle, and frequently but a thin stratum 

 of clay. At the spot where the " Tacooranee" (goddess) called " Hin- 

 golai" is supposed to preside, the coal is entirely bare for a space of 

 1000 or 1200 yards (superficial) with an undulating surface. It is 

 at this place that at the full of the moon of Chat-Byesk, the priest- 

 hood set fire to a heap of coal, which they keep burning for three 

 successive days, commencing the day preceding the full of the moon, 

 when hundreds of deluded creatures flock from the surrounding coun- 

 try to worship the goddess of destruction, who is supposed thus to 

 shew her presence in the burning rock. I was unable to ascertain 

 how far up the nulla the coal is exposed to view, as the inhabitants of 

 one state will say nothing about their own country, and still less 

 about that of another Raja ; and as the Ungool territory is only half a 

 mile distant, without any alteration in the general appearance of 

 the country, which is undulating, I did not deem it necessary 



