1851.] A sketch of the Behar Mica Mines. 297 



rubbish are shot down the precipitous side of the hill ; the good mica 

 which arrives at the surface of the pit in ragged masses about one foot 

 six inches in length, six inches broad and three inches in thickness, 

 after having its ragged edges trimmed off with a reaping-hook-looking 

 instrument, is placed by itself in a heap, and the bad or refuse, that 

 is the softer kind, is also placed aside in a heap by itself. 



The mica reaches the surface in three different states, viz. the good, 

 hard and seviceable mineral ; the soft, wet and flimsy mineral ; and 

 the chipped and powdered mineral. 



The tests as to whether the mica is good for any thing, or whether 

 as the natives say " it is alive" are its firmness, specific gravity, and 

 the power of reflecting the countenance free of contortions ; the latter 

 test I imagine showing the perfect parallelism of its individual plates, 

 and consequent likelihood to split well ; the heavier the mineral and 

 the more perfect the reflection, the more valuable is the mineral consi- 

 dered ; all the plates not standing the necessary test, are of a soft and 

 flimsy nature without any of the brilliant sparkle of the better sort, 

 the natives call this the "dead mica" and it appears to be in a state 

 of decay. 



The plates of the superior kind are used in all the large gangetic 

 cities and towns, by the native draftsmen, whose beautiful produc- 

 tions in body colors, must be familiar to most people ; by the lamp 

 and toy makers ; by the Mohammedans for ornamenting their Taziahs ; 

 as well as for ornamenting umbrellas, boats, and for making artificial 

 flowers. 



The second and third kinds are pounded and used for ornamenting 

 toys, pottery, the inside of houses, for sprinkling over clothes and 

 turbans at feasts, the sparkle from which by torch light resembles 

 diamonds ; but the great consumption of the inferior mineral takes 

 place during the Hooli festival, during which period the "abeer" or 

 pounded mica mixed with the flour of the small grain, " Kodo" and 

 colored with some red coloring matter, is freely sprinkled over the 

 maddened and intoxicated votaries of those bacchanalian orgies. 



The mines are worked by Mahajans or native merchants, who reside 

 at Patna and depute agents to the spot to superintend the mining. 

 The excavators or miners are Bandathis or inhabitants of the hills, 

 a race allied to the Kols, Bheels and Sonthals ; they are a wild-looking 



