364 Proceedings of the Asiatic Society. [No. 4. 



Report of the Curator, Museum of Economic Geology. 

 Geology and Mineralogy. 



Mr. J. Weaver has sent us a specimen of an Asbestiform Chlorite Schist 

 from New Zealand. This rock is a soft Chlorite Schist which crumbles 

 between the fingers but which on the fracture is decidedly fibrous, and in 

 appearance might be taken for petrified wood. 



From H. Torrens, Esq. C. S. we have received a small collection of 12 

 specimens of fossils and rocks from the Mootee Jhurna Falls, of which some 

 will be additions to our cabinets. He has also sent us three baskets of coal 

 from the same locality which I have referred to in the next section. 



From Mr. Theobald, Junior, we have also a few select specimens of rocks 

 of which- some will add to our collections. 



From Lt. Fell, I. N. commanding the H. C. Survey Brig Krishna, we have 

 received a few specimens of calcareous rock and clay slate with imbedded 

 shale and indurated lignite, with coal, from Diamond Island. These, though 

 mere shore specimens, are of interest if they shew that the Arracan coal 

 formations extend along the coast of Pegu towards Moulmein, though they 

 may be mere detritus brought to this point by the varying currents, and 

 washed up by the sea. 



I have also put into the form of a paper for the Journal an account of a 

 very interesting series of Calderite rocks, shewing the formation of this rock, 

 as in the granites, by the gradual mixture and more perfect (apparent) 

 semi-fusion of its constituent ingredients. 



Economic Geology. 

 I have forwarded to Government, and have also put into the form of a 

 paper for the Journal my detailed Report on the Deoghur copper ores and 

 on the extraction of the silver from two of those which contain it by the 

 beautiful Spanish amalgamation process. It is not therefore necessary farther 

 to refer to them here than to say that I have completely demonstrated the 

 practicability and efficiency of the process in India even at an unfavourable 

 season of the year. I regret to add that we are even yet in spite of my best 

 efforts deficient in supplies of ores from this very interesting locality !* 

 Captain Sherwill having proceeded on duty, and Mr. Vincent from the 



* It is worth noting here how remarkable an instance this is of the difficulties in 

 collecting minerals in India. There are six classes of the ores containing silver 

 and as yet I have been able to obtain only a scanty supply of two of them, sufficient 

 to afford experiments of a pound weight only, when could I have obtained 20 or even 

 50 lbs. I would have worked that quantity ! Of the remaining four we have too 

 little to attempt an amalgamation with them. We want on such an occasion a 

 maund, and we obtain but an ounce or two of each sort ; not for want of zeal and 

 goodwill, but simply from the difficulties of distance, roads, climate, jungle and the 

 want of Europeans on the spot. And yet this is within 200 miles of Calcutta. 



