JAN.— MAR. \^Dl.]PlunibagooJ KimaonandTravancore. 257 
Hay, on the ground that no material advantage would be derived 
from the undertaking. He is, nevertheless, pleased to acknow- 
ledge the exertions of Major Hay, and to authorize that Officer to 
submit a contingent bill for his hond Jide expenses." — Madras 
Spectator, March 19, 1857. 
Observations on the Graphite or Plumhago of Kimaon and 
of Travancore^ hy J. Foebes Royle, m. d. 
Specimens of Graphite an*d Plumbago have on various occasions 
been sent from different parts of India and a desire expressed to 
have their value ascertained in this country, 
Thus at the Exhibition of 1851, there were specimens from Al- 
morah, Vizagapatam and Travancore. 
The specimens from Travancore are in nodules extremely soft 
but brilliant, very like the Ceylon Graphite, of which some quan- 
tity has for some time been imported and sold for about £8 to 
£10 a ton. Some of the purer specimens of Travancore would rank 
with them, but all impurity greatly deteriorates its value. The Vi- 
zagapatam in its present state seems to be worthless. 
Graphite has on several occasions been sent from Almorah as 
in 1849 and 1850, again in 1851 and lastly on the present oc- 
casion. It was first discovered by Captain Herbert near Almorah, 
who describes cutting it into slices of which he made pencils, 
showing that it had some of the qualities required in that substance. 
The specimens sent in 1849 and 1850 were examined and reported 
on by the late Mr. Phillips and also by the late Mr. Brockeden. 
The latter of whom was well acquainted with the practical uses and 
commercial value of Graphite, but he pronounced the specimens 
for any purpose that he was acquainted with as useless, and there- 
fore worthless. The same opinion was ag?.in given to me by Mr. 
Brockeden before his death. 
If the enormous value (from 305. to 505. a pound) of good 
Graphite, is considered, the declared worthlessness of these Indian 
specimens seems to be unaccountable. It is desirable to ascertain 
