1850.] in Southern and Central India. 193 



which I also found at intervals all the way to Nyour Choultry, in the 

 neighbourhood of which it is found in large quantity. The iron clay 

 was frequently seen throughout the journey, sometimes containing both 

 large and small pieces and blocks of quartz. On approach to the Choultry 

 we observed a number of smiths at work. The forge and bellows of 

 the usual rude construction ; the iron ore is brought from the neigh- 

 bouring hills : these hills are continuous with those of Naggery Nose 

 Worramallepett, and appear to be of the same composition ; granite at 

 bottom and sandstone at top. 



The ore is the slaty red iron ore of mineralogists, and produces to- 

 lerable iron. In the neighbouring jungle, several large blocks of granite 

 were visible peeping through the iron clay : in one place containing 

 large specks of black mica, the stratification not real, since it was not 

 continuous. The iron clay exactly resembles that of Midnapoor, con- 

 taining brown red hematite and quartz. The granite resembles that of 

 Cornwall with more mica, making it somewhat darker. The most re- 

 markable plants are Euphorbia antiquorum, Asclepias aphylla, Cassia 

 auriculata, Gloriosa superba. The extent of the iron clay formation, is 

 well worthy of consideration, and I regret much that my mode of tra- 

 velling does not allow me to pay more attention to its connexion with 

 other rocks, as yet I have only seen it with granite, upon which it is 

 directly laid. 



The water of the tank at this Choultry, built of granite, is very pure 

 and contains very little muriate of soda. I brought from thence 

 marked No. 1, granite, iron clay, and red iron stone brought from the 

 hill of Goondum or Mokush ; my information was obtained from the 

 Brahmin of Nyarpet. 



Thursday, 19th November, 1818. — A short time after quitting the 

 Chouvadi early in the morning, I observed clay slate coming out in 

 the road, which was strewed for a considerable distance with large 

 pieces of quartz and the iron clay. On examining the water of the 

 tank, I detected sulphate of lime in considerable quantity as well as 

 muriate of soda. I observed lumps of greenish blue clay slate in the 

 village, said to come from the neighbouring hills ; the commencement 

 of the Venkatagherry range. 



Friday, 20th November, 1818. — I observed granite coming to-day 

 within a few yards of the Choultry, and in another place a large quantity 



