152 
A JOURNEY FROM MADRAS THROUGH 
CHAPTER until it be red hot ; when it is taken out, beaten into a long thin 
HI* plate upwards of an inch in breadth, and rolled up into an oval or 
Junes. round form, leaving a small space between each of the folds. It is 
then put into the fire again, well heated, and hammered out as be- 
fore. This process is repeated eight times, by which the weight of 
the steel is reduced to one fifth of the original_quantity. 
“ When this is done, it is ready for being formed into wire, and 
is again heated, and beat into small square rods. It is heated again, 
and drawn through a small hole, in a plate of common steel, into 
wire by means of pincers. In this plate there are several holes, of 
various dimensions, for the purpose of gradually reducing the wire 
- to the size required. 
“ After it has been once drawn, it is necessary to heat it again, 
before it can be drawn a second time, which is done through a hole 
somewhat smaller than the former one. It afterwards requires no 
farther heat ; but is drawn eight or ten times more until it be suf- 
ficiently fine; and this is partly ascertained by the sound it gives, 
when struck by the finger on being stretched out. 
“ At the time of drawing it through the plates, a small quantity 
of oil is applied to it, to make it pass easily. 
“The length of time taken up in making four pieces of wire, 
nearly of the same weight, and as fine as the larger of the speci- 
mens” (its weight I69 grains, its fineness 2 grains a foot), “ from 
the time of commencing the preparation of the steel, will occupy 
one man four days. One Rupee weight (177 grains) of this wire 
sells for one Suit any Fanam (8 d.). The price of the smaller one is 
double the other, being much finer. 
“ The steel of the Bazar , or market, is sold at the rate of one 
Acer for one small silver Fanam (or near 3\d. a pound). When refined, 
and ready for being made into wire, one Seer might be purchased 
for eight Sultany Fanams (or 2s. 1 \d. a pound) ; but there being no 
demand for it, it has no sale.” 
June 10. ,10th June , — I passed this day in examining the forests of this 
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