290 



Correspondence. 



Arrow Root. 



The bottle now sent, I made two days ago from plants of one year old. 

 which are the produce of a few plants presented to me by Dr. Wallich, 

 when in Calcutta some time ago. The plant appears to thrive remark- 

 ably well here, and judging from the size of the bulbs, (one of which is 

 now forwarded,) I should say it is not excelled by any grown in 

 Bengal.* 



Extract of a Letter from T. Wilkinson, Esq., Resident at Nagpore, 

 To J. M'Clelland, Esq., Secretary to the Coal Committee, Calcutta.^ 



1. — I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of 

 the 25th ultimo, and in compliance with the wishes of the Committee, 

 shall furnish you such information as I have been able to collect, 

 regarding the ores and minerals found within the territories of the 

 Rajah of Nagpore. 



Minerals. 



2. — In Wyragurh, about 90 miles to the south-east of the city of 

 Nagpore, there are diamond mines. I formerly visited them with Mr. 

 Jenkins, when he was Resident at Nagpore ; the following is what he 

 has written about them : " The diamond mines of Wyragurh were 

 formerly celebrated, though now they do not yield sufficient returns to 

 render them worth working. The diamonds were found in earth 

 which forms small hills in the vicinity of Wyragurh. The spots are 

 still distinguishable where they have been dug up. During the reign 

 of the late Raghojee Bhonsla, the mines were worked at a consider- 

 able expense, but only a very few small diamonds of little value were 

 found, and they are now entirely neglected." 



3. — At Koraree, near Nagpore, there is much white marble found, 

 which is capable of receiving a fine polish, it is used extensively in 

 building. A specimen is forwarded. 



4. — At Seukeindan in the Larihee Hills, there is a red ochre found in 

 large quantities, a great deal of which is exported. The natives use it 

 in colouring their houses, and with it is dyed the clothes worn by 

 Gissaons and Byragees, and also Tant Putties, it sells in Nagpore 

 at 25 seers for the rupee. A specimen is forwarded. 



5. — Yellow ochre is found in the Chanda district, but in what parti- 

 cular villages I have not ascertained. It is used for colouring houses, 



* The Arrow Root appears to be of very superior quality. — Ed. 

 t Presented by the Committee. 



