^60 
Scientific Intelligence, [no. new series, 
be better judges than those looking at bad specimens. It is cer- 
tain that no specimens have yet been sent sufficiently pure to be 
sawn in slices or for grinding in the mills. The specimens last 
sent are valued at not more than £5 a ton. 
Mr, Ruel celebrated for making crucibles (v. Jury Reports) con- 
sidered that the specimens from Travancore were not worth more 
than 85. a cwt. for his purpose though the price is sometimes as high, 
as 145. 
A good practical test I am told is that of chewing a small piece, 
when if not gritty, it will probably be found to be sufficiently pure 
for grinding up. 
It is possible however that the enquiries now being made by 
Chemists may devise methods by which the impure specimens 
may be made available for purposes not yet generally known, I 
have been asked by one of our intelligent Chemists to ascertain the 
quantity in which the Travancore Graphite can be obtained and the 
cost per ton, at which it can be delivered on board-ship. It seems 
desirable therefore to forward a copy of this communication to 
Travancore as well as to Kumaon. 
Extract from a letter from the Resident of Travancore and Co- 
chin, dated 9th February 1857. 
" Two varieties of Graphite are found in Travancore, one in their 
laminae, another granular, and I sent specimens of both to the Ex- 
hibition of 1851, 
" The granular or fibrous variety, I have only yet discovered in 
two localities and both of them in laterite, a few feet only below 
the surface. One locality is about 5 or 6 miles N. E. of Trevan- 
drum and the other about 12 or 14 miles N. E., I brought in from 
this latter locality on my visit to it about 3 cwt. 
" Some small deposits are also found immediately on the W. of 
the town of Trevandrum, but I have not yet heard of any other 
deposits of this granular variety, though I think it probable they 
exist. 
" Graphite in thin scates or laminae is common nearly throughout 
the laterite tracts of Travancore and Cochin, but more or less 
