1839] 



and Statistical of the Ceded Districts. 



125 



used by the natives in medicine as a tonie. Teak and other valuable tim- 

 ber is floated down the Tumbuddra from the forests of Mysore and Ca- 

 nara, during the S. W. monsoon, and landed near the anicut of Wullava- 

 pur on the western frontier. 



Mineral products. — The chief mineral products are iron of good quali- 

 ty* copper, lead, antimony and manganese, diamonds, alum, culinary 

 salt, natron or native soda, saltpetre, gun-flints, novaculites, and an infe- 

 rior description of marble at Kurnool. It is probable that coal may 

 exist in the limestone and sandstone formation around Cuddapah, 

 and the bed of the Pennaur. The formation in this vicinity resem- 

 bles that of the saliferous part of the peninsula of Araya, describ- 

 ed by Humboldt as mostly sandstone and conglomerate, resting upon 

 a compact bluish grey limestone. Salt is produced in the Cudda- 

 pah formation, though not confined to it. T have seen this mineral in 

 the black soil, lying immediately above granite and gneiss, and in layers 

 between laminae of ferruginous schist, associated with chloride, and 

 hornblende slate, also between those of blue limestone, arenaceous slate 

 and sandstone. Lead and antimony are found near Jungumrazpully in 

 the Nulla Mullas. Copper and manganese and iron ore, also exist in 

 these hills ; the latter in considerable quantity. Copper ore, the green 

 carbonate, is found in the ferruginous slate clay at the base of the crest 

 of the southern epaulement of the copper mountain near Bellary ; exca- 

 vations are still to be seen, said to be the remains of mines excavated 

 by order of Hyder Ali, but which were given up in consequence of the 

 expence exceeding the produce. The most celebrated diamond mines 

 are those of Condapetta, Ovalumpully, Punchagupadu and Lamdoor 

 near Cuddapah, at Banaganpully ; and at Muni Mudgoo and Wudjar 

 Carpor near Gooty. 1 have found them invariably situated in the sand- 

 stone breccia and conglomerate. Manganese is found in the copper 

 mountain and Sondur ranges. 



Arts and Manufactures. — There are manufactories for cotton piece 

 goods, principally salis, dupattas, turbans, palampores and carpets at 

 Cummum, Cuddapah, K urn ply, Bellary, Tarputri Adoni : for woollen 

 cumblies (native blankets) at Harponhully, for brassware at Hirrihal 

 and Hospett, for glass bangles at Pennaconda. The descendants of the 

 diamond polishers of Golconda, are still to be found at Muni Mudgoo, in 

 the Punchapoliam taluk near Gooty. There are gold and silver smiths at 

 Bellary, Cuddapah and Banaganpully ; dyers at Jummulmudgoo,and vari- 

 ous other villages ; indigo manufactories in the Budwail and other taluks 

 of the Cuddapah collectorate. Dolls and other painted wooden and com- 

 position toys for children are made at Harponhully and Gooty. Images 



