1854.] Proceedings of the Asiatic Society. 403 



a process which only Europeans can profitably attempt ; for natives assuredly 

 would not do so, and the questions of limestone and markets must be duly 

 weighed beforehand. Our smelting specimens Nos. 41 to 45 seem to shew 

 that the kunkur can be used as an efficient limestone flux containing as it 

 does from 50 to 80 per cent, of carbonate of lime ; for these were produced in 

 a native smelter's furnace. It should however be tried on a large scale before 

 any thing is based upon it. 



(Signed) H. Piddington, 



18th March, 1854. Cur. Mus. Eco. Geology. 



1 have also put into the form of a paper for the Journal, the description 

 and analyses of Dr. Campbell's Darjeeling copper ores, of which, though 

 the ores turn out to be poor, and certainly not workable to a profit so far as 

 the mere surface specimens go, it is useful to preserve a distinct record for 

 the guidance of future explorers ; who will learn at once that their business 

 is to set about sinking a good shaft as deep as the native well-sinkers can 

 carry it before they give up their enterprize, for I again repeat that the 

 results of these examinations of ours do not express what the mine or vein 

 is, as miners understand it, but what is found at the surface ; and this is as 

 true of the good results as of the bad ones. 



The disappointment then as regards these ores may be but temporary ; 

 but in the mean time I am happy to be able to announce as some compen- 

 sation for it, that Dr, Campbell's indefatigable and persevering researches 

 in his territories have been rewarded by the discovery of two very good and 

 one excellent (in all three) veins of coal on the Teesta and Mahanuddi. 

 There is also with them a very singular variety of an earthy Soot Coal which 

 may be an indication of plumbago or of a valuable kind of coal below. 



I have put the detailed descriptions and analyses of these coals also into a 

 separate paper, which will well repay perusal by those who are interested 

 in such matters; briefly, I may state here that No. I- of Dr. Campbell's coal 

 contains only 3 per cent, of ash and is free from sulphur ; but then it is very 

 brittle both as coal and coke, being a true splint coal, and thus would suffer 

 great loss in carriage which is a serious drawback on its value. 



No. II. contains 4£ per cent, of ash only but is also, like No. I. very 

 brittle, these two would otherwise be equal to the Laboan and average 

 Newcastle coals, which as to constituent parts they closely approach, but 

 want the cohesion which these last possess. 



No. III. is the singular earthy soot coal which I have mentioned above, it 

 contains 40 per cent, of carbonaceous and 40 of earthy matter with only 

 10 per cent, of gaseous matter. 



No. IV. is a first rate Glance-coal, in all respects ; containing 30| per 



