1853.] Proceedings of the Asiatic Society. 313 



The late Mr. David Scott, Governor General's Agent, Assam, is said by 

 Dr. Campbell to have found coal near the same locality, but a specimen 

 submitted to the coal Committee, and reported on in one of its printed 

 reports, was considered of no value. 



My Report on this coal is as follows : — 



Report on a specimen of Jet Coal from the Chawa Nuddee, a tributary of 

 the Teesta, forwarded by Dr. A. Campbell of Darjeeling. 



The specimens sent are very small and are mere surface and rolled 

 specimens, so that there is much difficulty in selecting a bit for a fair test 

 of the Sp. gravity ; and those which I have taken are too small. I 

 found also much difficulty in picking fragments entirely free from earthy 

 matter for analysis without destroying the larger specimens which, from a 

 new locality and with a new variety, it is always desirable to keep as 

 entire as possible till a good supply is obtained. 



Examination. — This coal is evidently a Jet ; but as none of the books 

 to which I have access contain any detailed examination and description 

 even of the common Jet ! I have thought it worth while to put this on 

 record as it differs both from massive Jet and from the common Jet 

 Coal* 



Appearance. — The aspect of this coal is very remarkable. A part of it 

 is a bright glancing jet-like coal, which sometimes occurs in entire pieces, 

 though very small ones, not being larger than a large bean or small walnut 

 but in the larger specimen, this bright jet-like and massive coal is seen to 

 pass into curious small columnar jointed concretions, somewhat resembling 

 on a microscopic scale those of basalt. 



In certain lights the joints have a very bright, and somewhat pearly 

 glance, with faint traces of rings in them, which are clearly made out by 

 the magnifier. Larger and more distinct traces of these rings are seen 

 on some of the massive jet-like pieces, the whole conveying the impression 

 of large and small globules loosely aggregated under pressure. 



Physical Properties. — It burns readily with a fine greenish yellow 

 flame, and the smell of the smoke, though pungent, is in some degree 

 aromatic ;f being not at all the smoky smell of common coal. It is easily 

 cut, but brittle and Hying into fragments. The streak is a dull black. 



* See Vol. XX. p. 366, of Journal (Proceedings of April, 1851,) for my exami- 

 nation of an Indian Jet Coal far inferior to this from the Mootee Jliuma falls, 

 Rajmahal Hills. 



f Probably containing a little Succinic Acid. ? 



