Correspondence. 



291 



by both Europeans and Natives. It sells in the city of Nagpore at 

 15 seers for the rupee. A specimen is forwarded. 



6. — An infer description of yellow ochre is found near Kulmeshur, 

 about sixteen miles to the east of the city of Nagpore, it is used for the 

 same purpose as the last mentioned, and sells in the city of Nagpore at 

 30 seers for the rupee. 



7. — There is a fossil alkali,* which the Natives call Reh, found in 

 large quantities near Ponar, 50 miles south-west of Nagpore. It is 

 used by the Dhotees for washing clothes, and I believe the Natives 

 make use of it in preparing soap. 



8. — Pukan red, found at Kondallee, 30 miles to the west of the city 

 of Nagpore, the English name of it I have not been able to ascertain ; it 

 is used in medicine by the Natives, particularly for women after child- 

 birth. I send a specimen, and shall feel obliged by your informing me 

 what its name is in English. It sells for 28 seers the rupee. 



9. — Sungjura, or Sungi Jirahal, a species of steatite or soap-stone, 

 used by Natives in medicine ; it is not found within the Rajah's country, 

 but I believe somewhere in the Jubbulpore territory, although the ex- 

 act place I have not ascertained; I will endeavour to do so. It sells in 

 the bazar at 10 seers for a rupee. A specimen is forwarded. 



10. — Tuli is found in different parts of the country, but not good. 

 Limestone is plentiful, but good clay for making brick is scarce. 

 There is a small hill about five miles to the west of the Residency 

 of basaltic columns. I am not aware of the existence of coal states, 

 fusible earth, earth oil, or any other useful minerals besides those 

 above-mentioned. In the event of hereafter learning that such are to 

 be found, I will inform you. 



11. — Iron ore is found at many places in the Nagpore country in 

 large quantities ; the following are the names of several villages at which 

 it is prepared; viz. Aumgaon-oomjerrie in the Suhanghurree Per- 

 gunah, Konolie in Pertaubgurh, Lahara, Bijlee, and Porara in Lanjhee, 

 Puttrapite in Ambagurh, Agree in Chandpore, Mendkee and Ballapore 

 in Berhampooree, Gunjumarrah in Gurh Boree, Armorie in Wyragurh, 

 Naotulla in Nerus, and Govindpore and Shunkerpore in Chinioor. 

 The ore is smelted in the first instance in a furnace of the shape of a 

 pyramid made of mud, with charcoal of such wood as may be procur- 

 able, it is afterwards removed to a smaller furnace in which charcoal 

 of bamboos or teak is used, which completes its preparation for the 

 market. I have procured some of the ore from Aumgaon-oomerjerrie, 

 and send a specimen, f Steel is not manufactured from any of the ores 



* A specimen is sent. It is an earth containing a small proportion of Carbonate of Soda.— Ed. 



t Is sent. 



