SS WALKER: GEOLOGY OF KALAHAND1 STATE. 



Appendix. 



Report on a sample of Graphite, obtained from the Kalahandi state, Central 

 Provinces, by Dr. T, L. Walker 0/ the Geological Survey of India, submitted 

 by Mr. F. R. Mallet, F.R.S., formerly Superintendent of the Geological 

 Survey of India, by Professor Wyndham R. Dunstan, M.A., F.RtS., Sec 

 C.S., Director of the Scientific and Technical Department of the Imperial 

 Institute. 

 The material consisted of several large rounded pieces readily crumbling to 

 powder. Its colour was greyish black, showing a slight metallic lustre but defi- 

 cient in the laminated appearance characteristic of the best Ceylon graphite. 

 The powder was distinctly greasy to the touch and readily marked paper. Its 

 specific gravity was 2'o5. 



The following are the results of its chemical analysis : — 



Moisture (at 1 2o°C) ..... ri2 per cent. 

 Volatile matter (at red heat) .... 389 „ „ 



Ash . 3187 „ „ 



The ash was chiefly composed of silicate of aluminium and calcium, with 

 some ferric oxide. 



It is obvious from these results that the graphite is of poor quality and could 

 not compete with the graphite now so largely exported from Ceylon. As, however, 

 it seemed possible that it might be employed in the manufacture of crucibles, the 

 Morgan Crucible Company were good enough, at my request, to give it a 

 technical trial. They report that it is of very poor quality, being almost entirely 

 deficient in flake and producing a very dead powder. They state that it might 

 be used to a limited extent for the purpose for which the commonest Ceylon dust 

 plumbago is used, but its value would certainly not be more than from £3 to £4 

 per ton delivered in barrels, c. i. f. London. 



I may add as a point of some interest that this graphite appears to be 

 associated with a small quantity of hydrocarbons of the nature of petroleum. 

 This is a point which may deserve further investigation. 



WYNDHAM R. DUNSTAN, 

 Director, Scientific and Technical Department. 



sis! November, igoi. 



