190 Dr. Voy seif s Private Journal [No. 3. 



than a few feet above it, this has been determined by actual measure- 

 ment in the Godavery, Krishna and Cavery. 



On the coast of Coromandel the first stratum which meets the eye is 

 a moveable sand, interspersed with black particles of magnetic ironstone, 

 common about Madras and sold in the Bazars under the name of 

 Suranmmely. 



Next is found a stiff loam very sterile, extending 2 miles inland, when 

 other alluvia, such as sand, marl, disintegrated calc tuff, and a mixture 

 of sienitic gravel, are seen in alternating strata. 



The calc tuff is generally covered by a thick stratum of rich black 

 mould, which appears to proceed from the quick destruction of the vege- 

 tables by the calc tuff. The marl is often 20 feet deep, and does not 

 contain animal remains of any kind ; rolled hornstone, fragments of 

 sienite and pebbles are found in it. It very often covers the stratum 

 in which the diamond is found. 



The acclivities which are found along the coast about Madras and 

 Nellore consist of iron clay used for bricks, Dr. B.'s laterite. The small 

 pebbles or stones in it, resemble floetz greenstone : mica is also found 

 near Pondicherry, and a secondary floetz lime with shells used for 

 paving the streets. 



In the vicinity near the sea are found remarkable petrifactions of 

 large pieces of trunks and branches of tamarind wood. 



Transition limestone is met with in some abundance, and in mountain 

 masses near the Krishna at Chintapally. It might be taken for floetz 

 limestone, but there are animal remains in it. Calc tuff and sienite are 

 found, and a black limestone which burns white. About Lat. 13° 14' 

 N. mountains of transition flinty slate make their appearance 3000 feet 

 above the level of the sea. The Pulicat hills. — They run in uninter- 

 rupted ranges from about 15 to 20 miles in the direction of the coast. 

 The hill on which the Tripety Pagoda stands belongs to this rock and 

 it further continues to the banks of the Pennar. 



In the branch, south of Cuddappah which runs nearly east and west, 

 I found small veins of plumbago. Sulphuret of lead with a large pro- 

 portion of silver is found, 15 miles in a N. E. direction. 



The flinty slate appears to rest on greenstone slate, which often 

 makes its appearance in the Pallams, the Pulicat hills, and to the 

 northward. 



