1837.] 



Royal Asiatic Society, 



467 



the strength suited for test ; and also a small bottle of the colour to 

 be produced."* 



Mr. Soutiiey's Communication. 



" London, 2ith Nov. 1836. 



ef We have much pleasure in offering you the following observations 

 <m the Wool imported into this country from Bombay, by which you 

 will perceive there is in India a race of sheep which produces Wool 

 that can be applied to useful purposes in some of our manufacturing 

 districts ; at the same time it will be seen that, with due attention 

 to the assortment of the Wool, and to the improvement of the breed of 

 sheep, a more valuable description of Wool may be produced. 



" Most of the Wool which has hitherto been imported into this 

 country from India, has been found of a short staple, with a vast 

 quantity of hairs interspersed through the Wool (what is technically 

 called kemp hairs) : they will not receive dye, which renders such 

 Wool unfit for general use, and consequently confines its application 

 to the more ordinary branches of manufacture, such as blankets, and 

 other low quality of goods. 



" It evidently appears there are various descriptions of Wool pro- 

 duced in India, as we have seen some of a superior quality, which we 

 are given to understand was produced in the province of Guzerat, 

 some of which we estimate to be worth I5d. to ISd. per lb. 



" The whole of the Wool hitherto imported from thence, came from 

 the island of Bombay, we are therefore unable to form an opinion 

 where the Wool is grown ; but should the information we have ob- 

 tained prove correct (that it is produced in Guzerat, and that that por- 



* The Government of Madras, to whom the samples and test were sent by the Royal 

 Asiatic Society, has forwarded them to the Literary Society, in whose Apartments they 

 may be seen by any one desirous of inspecting them. Dr. Wight has made drawings of 

 the lichens which have been transferred to stone, for the purpose of preparing represen- 

 tations, to make them better known. These will either appear in a future Number of this 

 Journal, or be circulated over India, to aid the views of the Committee of Agriculture 

 and Commerce of the Royal Asiatic Society.— Editor Madras Journal. 



