626 Proceedings of the Asiatic Society, [No. 7. 



examination that one of the copper ores (No. 4) contains a small quantity 

 of Bismuth, but the specimen sent is too small to afford a quantitative ana- 

 lysis. The specimens appear to promise well, and it is remarkable that this 

 is the spot alluded to in my recent report to Mr. Secretary Beadon, as being 

 the locality from whence the natives gave the late Major Ouseley specimens 

 of mere iron ores for copper. 



Mr. Lonsdale of Moulmein has sent a number of ores for examination, 

 which prove to be nothing more than different kinds of iron ore, a few 

 having small proportions of antimony, but none of any value. 



Our Secretary has received from the Hon'ble J. C. Erskine, resident at 

 the Court of Nepal, the following letter and the specimen therein alluded to, 

 which has been examined : the report on the specimen, follows the letter. 



No. 62 of 1851. 

 From the Hon'ble J. C. Erskine, Resident, Nepal. 

 To the Secretary to the Asiatic Society of Calcutta, 



dated Nepal, the \4th August, 1851. 

 Sir, — I have taken the liberty of forwarding to you by Dak to-day a 

 specimen of a mineral somewhat resembling coal. Though deficient in 

 Carbon it appears to be a kind of lignite, and was found about five or six 

 miles from the city of Katmandoo. 



2. Would you do me the favor of obtaining from one of the members 

 of the Asiatic Society competent to pass a judgment on such subjects, a 

 description of this mineral, for the information of the Prime Minister Ge- 

 neral Jung Bahadoor. 



I have the honor to be, Sir, 



Your most obedient servant, 

 (Signed) J. C. Erskine, 



Resident, Nepal. 

 Report on a supposed specimen of lignite from Katmandoo. 

 This specimen is not lignite but a very promising coal shale and consider- 

 ably bituminous, as will be seen below. The impressions and remains of 

 plants which it contains are those of catamites, a plant of the coal forma- 

 tion. The bituminous portions are distinctly seen in the cross fracture in 

 their waving lines of dull shining coal. 



Carefully dried before analysing, as all these shales absorb much moisture 

 in the rains, 100 grains of it gave, 



Gaseous matter with water, , 4 1 .50 



Carbon, 25.20 



Ash, containing a small proportion of lime but principally iron and 

 silica, 33.30 



100.00 



