254 Asiatic Society. [No. 135. 



urinous formation, from which something valuable might be obtained, and 

 I at the same time sent him specimens of the raw material ; but am sorry 

 to learn from him in reply, that there is not any formation approaching 

 that to which the mineral belongs. 



I am now about to direct my enquiries in Arracan, as Petroleum wells 

 and Naptha springs occur on the Irawaddy, and thence extend to the 

 Arracan district. 



I have, &c. 

 (Signed) H. Goodwyn, 



Executive Engineer, 1st Division. 

 Barrackpore , 8th February, 1843. 



(True Copy,) H. DeBude, 



Secretary, Military Board. 



My dear DeBude, — I have already deposited in the Economic Geologic 

 Museum, a specimen of the native Asphaltum Rock, so if the Board after 

 examination of the accompanying are not desirous of keeping it in the 

 Office, pray send it to Mr. Piddington with this note, that he may un- 

 derstand it is to be placed injuxta-position with the rock I gave him before. 



I send also a specimen of the Mineral Tar, an exudation from the crevices 

 of the rock, which will complete the whole history, as the powder of the 

 rock mixed with the Tar forms the Mastic which is on the prepared 

 section of flooring in the box. 



If it goes to the Museum, I shall be glad of a line from Piddington. 



Your's truly, 



H. Goodwyn. 



In a private reply to Captain Goodwyn, the proximity of the Petroleum 

 wells of Cheduba, as detailed in Captain Halstead's report, was pointed 

 out to him, and the probability, that if the Asphaltum itself was not found 

 there, the residue of the Petroleum might furnish a mineral Pitch, which 

 mixed with lime would make a good Asphaltum. Experiments will be 

 made on this highly interesting subject. 



From Duncan, Esq., we have received a highly curious contribution 



of a piece of the Porcelain Tower of Nankin. 



Captain Newbold has sent us, at my request, a specimen of the best Cotton 

 Soil from Kurnool. He is good enough to promise us a complete series of 

 soils from that quarter, which will be a great addition to our Museum, 

 The following are extracts from his letter : — 



Camp Pialcoorty, Kurnool, February 13, 1843. 



My dear Sir, — I have this day forwarded by banghy, a specimen of 

 our first class cotton soil in Kurnool. Let me know whether it is enough, 

 and whether I shall send specimens of the various sorts of cotton soil for 

 the Society. 



I have not yet been able to visit the first class Tobacco field yet, and 

 I would rather defer sending specimens until personal examination of 

 the field, lest any error should occur. The cotton soil now sent is from 

 a field in the vicinity of which my tents are pitched. 



I shall be very glad if you will favour me with an analysis at your 

 early convenience. 



A specimen of some of the cotton soil of the Ceded Districts, which I 

 sent to the Royal Society is in the hands of Mr. Solly, who has promised 



