Jan. 1845.] Proceedings of the Asiatic Society. xv 



earthy-looking substances of any kind, which melt and burn, and if they also effervesce 

 with any acids, as strong vinegar or lime-juice, so much the better. 



I have here also again the pleasure of referring to Lieut. Sherwill's active kindness 

 in support of the objects of the Museum. I had written to him on the subject of the 

 Corundum recently found and presented by Dr. Rowe, and in reply he sends us a set 

 of specimens analagous to those which 1 had obtained from the bazar, but accompanied 

 by the following very interesting account of the specimens and mines ; which last were 

 not known, 1 think, to exist in any locality north of the Nerbudda. 



My dear Sir, — I have succeeded after some trouble in getting you specimens of 

 Corundum, from a locale little known to Europeans; they were obtained from a hill 

 in Lat. 24° 10', Long. 83° 20', about 20 miles S. W. from Vantaree, behind the 

 table- land of Rhotas, in a province known as Singrowlee. The mines are worked once 

 a year, when enough is worked out to supply the wants of the Mahajuns, who send 

 bullocks to convey it away. From this spot the greater part of Western India is sup- 

 plied. The following Nos. apply to the Nos. on the specimens. 



No. 1. Goolabee, named from its rose colour, is considered the best. 



No. 2. Mussooveea, named from its colour, as resembling Mussoor-dal (ervum lens) 

 is 2nd in quality. 



No. 3. Bhakra, from being of many colours, (greyish ?) 3rd in quality. 



No. 4. Teleeya, named from its resembling in colour, the seed of the telee, 4th in 

 quality. 



No. 5. Considered impure, being mixed with scales of Mica. 



No. 6. Very impure, being mixed with crystals of (Zeolite ?*) 



In a short time I hope to be able to goto the spot myself, when you shall have a 

 description of the place, rocks, &c. 1 think if you look amongst my Behar specimens 

 you will find some corundum of the 1st or Goolabee quality, about No. 250 or 240. 



Legend attached to the quarrying of the Singrowlee Mine. 



" The rock, by the permission of the gods, is for one day, and one day only in the 

 year, Corundum ; during the remaining 364 days the rock is mere rock and of no earth- 

 ly use." This is rather a clever story of the owner of the quarry ! I should like 

 very much to hear if you do find any Corundum amongst my Behar specimens. 



W. S. Sherwill. 



We received some time ago from Captain Williams the following letter and notice, 

 with the small fragments (of a few grains in weight only) referred to in it. 



H. Piddington, Esq. Assistant Secretary to the Asiatic Society of Calcutta. 



My dear Sir, — 1 have had the pleasure to receive your letter regarding the Vol- 

 cano near this place, and I will not fail to collect specimens of the stones, earth, &c. 

 &c, on, and all around the hill, and send them up in the " Amherst." 



As you have kindly offered me your services, I take the liberty of sending you four 

 bits of stones sent out to me by a brother by the last Overland, who obtained them 

 from a private in H. M. 4th Dragoons. It (the stone) is celebrated for its virtues in 

 cleaning bridle bits, &c and my brother wishes me to collect a quantity for him ; but 

 what the stone is, or where to be had, I am unable to find out, and shall feel obliged by 

 your informing me. It appears from the Dragoon's memorandum that the natives of 

 India (for he got it in this country) make idols of it. I fear the Dragoon is an old 



* These arc Fibrolite in small radiated nests. 



