oct.— dec. 1857.] in the District of Coimbatore. 



63 



the band of limestone and passes to the westward. along its outcrop, 

 and in some of the small cuttings, good faces of the rock are ex- 

 posed. The blocks obtained from the cuttings, are used for rubble 

 work in the construction of the bridges, &c, on the line. Further 

 to the west the limestone band penetrates the Walliar jungles, 

 beyond which point it has not been traced, but it is not improbable, 

 that it extends much further in the same direction. 



It is unnecessary here to enter upon any theoretical considera- 

 tions with respect to the limestone, as these will be treated of at 

 length, in connection with the Geology of the surrounding coun- 

 try, in the Report now preparing for publication, in the " Memoirs 

 of the Geological Survey of India," but a few words on the econo- 

 mic importance of the discovery may be here fitly added. 



As a building material, limestone such as that now described is 

 capable of a two -fold application. It may either be used in the 

 form of rough or worked stone, or may be burnt in some form of 

 kiln for the manufacture of lime and cement. As a building stone, 

 the Coimbatore limestone would be perhaps one of the cheapest 

 and most durable materials, that could be used. Being extremely 

 soft and very massive, large blocks could be quarried and dressed 

 with great ease, and as from the purity of the stone, it is but little 

 liable to weather or decompose, as is seen on the mere inspection 

 of the stone in situ, dwelling houses or public buildings construct- 

 ed with it would require no stucco, and would thus present a more 

 sightly and imposing exterior than an ordinary pucka building, 

 and at the same time, a considerable saving in the expenditure for 

 repairs would be effected. This saving alone would in a few 

 years more than cover the original difference of cost. For inter- 

 nal decorations of a simple character, the limestone is well adapted, 

 as it is susceptible of a high polish, and by employing slabs of va- 

 rious colors, very beautiful walls, pavements, &c, might be construct- 

 ed. It would not be applicable for highly decorative work, such 

 as small mouldings or carved ornaments, since owing to its large- 

 ly crystalline structure, it would be liable to chip, but this very cha- 

 racter imparts to it a transparency which would much enhance the 

 sbeauty of a polished slab. It is, however, possible that extended 



