834 Asiatic Society. [No. 141. 



attention was first drawn to the spot by the native agent, Nao Mull, who pointed out to 

 me on the surface of the ground a considerable quantity of sulphureous matter, which 

 on fire being applied, immediately ignited. I have since had the upper surface of the 

 earth removed in one or two places, and have by this day's post transmitted a small 

 specimen of the Sulphur found within about a foot of the surface. As the mine is 

 within two hundred yards of the Ghizree Creek, the Sulphur can be transported by 

 water at a very little expence, and should it prove as productive as I have reason to 

 expect, it will be a most valuable discovery. A great quantity of Nitre is apparent 

 on the surface of the ground near the Sulphur mine, and this also might be turned to 

 account. I have, &c. 



Kurrachee Collector's Office, (Signed) J. Preedy, Capt. 



list June, 1843. Collr. and Magt. Kurrachee. 



(True Copy,) 



(Signed) C. J. Brown, 



Commissioner in Scinde. 



To H. Torrens, Esq., Secretary, Asiatic Society. 



Sir,— In reply to a reference to the Museum of Economic Geology from Mr. Secretary Thoma- 

 son, accompanying a small specimen of Sulphur sent from Kurachee, by Captain J. Preedy, I have 

 the honor to Report as follows: — 



1. The specimen in question was unfortunately so very minute in quantity, that nothing but 

 approximate notions of the real value of the mineral can be formed. The whole weight did not 

 much exceed 20 grains, of which 10 grains were taken for experiment. 



2. Heated in a porcelain capsule, the 10 grains left a residuum of 4 of a fine dark coloured 

 carbonaceous-looking ash. 



3. It was not worth while to examine this small residuum, since if it contains any thing of value, 

 which is but barely probable, we shall better be able to ascertain it when we obtain larger supplies 

 of the mineral. 



4. Approximately, then we may say, that the specimen contains about six-tenths, or 60 per cent, 

 of sulphur, probably of tolerable purity, though a larger quantity will be required to decide upon 

 this point, as also if the residuum contains any thing worth looking after. I solicit the attention of 

 Captain Preedy, to whom I presume a copy of this Report will be sent, to the following remarks 

 and suggestions. 



5. I assume from his account that there is plenty of it, and thus do not advert to the quantity of 

 the mineral. 



A. The question as to the value of sulphur, depends mainly on its purity. The common sul- 

 phurs, manufactured or produced from copper or iron pyrites, are all contaminated by impurities, 

 such as arsenic, selenium, and the like, which render them wholly useless in many branches of the 

 arts, and the high value of the pure Sicilian sulphur, about which it will be remembered we were 

 two years ago on the point of going to war, depends on its purity. The deposits from which these 

 are procured are like this which I suppose ours to be, i. e. alluvial, and have no known and direct 

 connection with volcanic action. 



B. Your beds or layer of sulphur may be some pure and some impure. We should be glad to 

 be furnished with at least half a pound of each sort as far as you can penetrate, with some of the 

 earthy matrix in which it lies. Specimens of the minerals (as gypsum, &c.) found with it, and spe- 

 cimens of the intervening beds, if there are any such. Also of the nitrous efflorescence on the sur- 

 face. 



C. If you can also oblige us with accounts of the surrounding rocks or soil with specimens, it 

 will add much to the value of the information. In short, a good account of the sulphur field or 

 ground, with specimens, is a great desideratum. 



