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Notices of Books : 



[JutT 



*' Falamow Coal-field.'^ The coal field of Burdwan is connected by- 

 means of what would seem to be the shattered remnants of coal mea- 

 sures with another principal coal field in the valley of Palamow on the 

 opposite side of the Mongir mountains, to the notice of this as next in 

 importance we may at once proceed. 



" Coal has been known to exist in Palamow still earlier than the 

 period at which it was brought to notice at Burdwan, as appears from 

 a spot marked coal mine on Arrowsmith's map, but it was not till after 

 the introduction of steam navigation that the fact excited any interest, 

 when the late Mr. A. Prinsep, then the principal civil officer of the 

 district had the merit of first directing attention to its importance; 

 since that period Palamow has been frequently visited by scientific and 

 practical men, from whose reports the following particulars are 

 gleaned. 



" The coal fields of Burdwan and Palamow are separated from each 

 other by the prolongation to the eastward of the Vindhya chain, to 

 which they bear a similar relative position, both reposing in low hills 

 of sandstone, the one at the southern, and the other at the northern 

 foot of the chain. 



" The valley of Palamow situated at the source of one of the great 

 branches of the Soane, is scarcely raised at its outlet above the gene- 

 ral level of the plains of India, but is inclined with a slight ascent to 

 Ihe granitic mountains by which it is surrounded, except towards the 

 north, at which side the Caile or Palamow river joins the Soane. The 

 length of the valley from north to south may be about 70 miies, but it^ 

 breadth is much contracted by the approximation of steep granitic hills 

 on opposite sides, between which small diversified valleys are extended 

 laterally. 



" The climate would seem to be better than that of most parts of 

 India, and if we consider the proximity of the elevated granitic plat- 

 form on the east and south, a very favourable climate might here be 

 available for the residence of those who would engage in the enterprise 

 of turning the mineral resources of the district to advantageous ac- 

 count. The lands being little adapted to the ordinary agricultural 

 pursuits of the country, are in a great measure deserted, but the in- 

 habitants who are peaceable and suflficiently numerous to afford the 

 requisite number of labourers for any works that might here be esta- 

 blished, are at the same time, ready to enter upon any new branch of 

 industry calculated to improve their present condition. 



