24 



Statistics of the Sircar Yelgunthid. 



[No. 39. 



which is much used for making cups and vessels to hold the acid 

 condiments of food. 



The compact crystalline corundum is found near Podoor, and has 

 been pronounced to be of superior quality, the specimens were ob- 

 tained during the rains from the bed of a nullah which as well as 

 others in the neighbourhood contained too much water to permit 

 of being properly examined, and an opinion formed, regarding 

 the probable quantity to be obtained. As this mineral has assum- 

 ed importance as an article of export from Madras, another opportu- 

 nity will be taken to report on the capability of Podoor in connec- 

 tion with Palomcha for yielding a supply. 



The position of the limestone has been previously mentioned. 

 It is a carbonate, compact, hard, sonorous, and even in texture with 

 a blueish tinge, and an excellent building material. It is not used 

 but might if required be quarried with facility. 



The ores of iron are found scattered throughout the Sircar and 

 in the villages of Godoor, Mogulpett and Chinttacoortee, in the 

 Western part extensively smelted. It is obtained as an oxide from 

 gneiss by pounding, and separating the stony matrix with the hand, 

 or subjecting the powder to a stream of water, and also from the 

 beds of nullahs which have their source in the gneiss hills, and in- 

 to which it is washed during the rains and stopped in its course by 

 weirs placed across the stream for that purpose. 



In the villages to the N.E. magnetic iron ore is worked and 



produces an excellent iron. Towards the S.W. in the villages of 



Annavarum, Gajasingavarum and Gomital the ferruginous claystone 



found upon the tops of the hills in the Western range is smelted. 



Much importance is attached to the value of soils 

 Soils. x 



by both zemindar and ryot, and the latter shows 

 great discrimination in attributing a proper value to lands allotted 

 to him from his perfect practical knowledge of their productive 

 qualities. Should the zemindar hold out for more than the culti- 

 vator considers the soil capable of producing in addition to the 

 usual remuneration for his own labours, the dispute generally ter- 

 minates by falling back upon the buttae the cowl when both share 

 equally. » 



