1848.] 



The Neil gJi err y Monniaii^s. 



3 



is not found in any part of the mountains, being much needed both 

 for architectural and agricultural purposes. 



With the exception of this gneiss formaiion, the whole of this 

 mountain tract is of primitive igneous structure, granite and sienite 

 alternately appearing as the base of the Hills, while at the same time 

 hornblende rock, basalt, and occasionally greenstone, are found pro- 

 truding in masses and channels so extensively, as often to give their 

 peculiar character to the rock formation for considerable distances. 



Metalliferous de- Metalliferous deposits do unquestionably exist 

 P**^^*^^- in the Neilgherries. Ores of copper (pyrites) and 



^^aud°iead^^^^ ^^^^ (galena) have been found embedded in quartz, 

 but unfortunately not in situ, being merely por- 

 tions of blocks of stone found in the walls of some " cairns" or 

 ancient places of sepulture, in the neighbourhood of Nunjenaad, not 

 far from the foot of the Koondahs. The circumstance was brought 

 to the notice of Government some time since (I believe by Dr. Bur- 

 rell and Captain Congreve), when I was directed to co-operate with the 

 latter officer in instituting an inquiry as to the origin of these orey 

 blocks. Captain Congreve however shortly after left the Hills, and 

 though I have taken advantage of every opportunity w^hich offered to 

 pursue the desired object, I am sorry to say my efforts have not been 

 crowned with success, for although many large channels of quartz 

 occur in the neighbourhood of the spot where the blocks were found, 

 and all running in a true metalliferous direction, east and west, I 

 have not been able, though I have traced them a long distance, and 

 crossed their backs in various parts, to detect in any of them a trace 

 of ore, or any of those peculiar indications on the surface, which 

 would elsewhere characterize a vein or lode bearing ores of either 

 copper or lead. 



The Todars dwelling near the spot declare their belief that the 

 blocks were brought from the " Koondahs,"' and although this can be 

 little better than surmise I should certainly say from the aspect of that 

 range of mountains, that deposits of ore are more likely to be found 

 in it than in the Neilgherries. It bears much more the look of a 

 mining country ; and the violent igneous action which has evidently 

 prevailed amongst its rocks after their formation, favours the expecta- 

 tion that metalliferous deposits will be found there, if they exist in 

 quantity any where about this mountainous district. 



Manganese. ^^^^^ ^^^^^ manganese is found about the 



Hills in many places, existing in small veins and 



