108 
On the application of the Jaisalmir 
[April, 
Europe. This, however, is a point left to the consideration of the practical litho- 
grapher, who will not hesitate to avail himself of any improvement in the art, not 
attended with increased expense or trouble. It may, however, be a matter of 
more than curiosity, to consider the feasibility of supplying Europe with 
the Indian material, and thus adding another benefit to the many which 
England has derived from her Eastern possessions. It is estimated, that exclusive 
of duty, which, it is hoped, would not, in the first instance, be imposed, as being a 
measure ill calculated to foster an infant export, the Jaisalmir stone could be suppli - 
ed, in the London market, at about ^ths of the price of the German stone, and pro- 
bably still lower, were the demand to become extensive. But as this branch of the 
subject may be considered out of place here, it is left to mercantile,men to followup. 
The progress of improvement in every branch of art, is generally tardy ; the first 
step is the great difficulty, but that accomplished, the bringing it to perfection 
cannot be considered other than the pleasing and comparatively light task of proving 
and improving another’s labors. 
Be that as it may, in this instance, no little jealousies are in the way to cast a 
shade over the merits of the invention, for the field of art here is too confined to 
hope for any thing like an opinion being given, based on the test of severe and varied 
experiment. It is in Europe that the question must be decided, and to that arena 
it is referred with confidence. The plate which accompanies this number will go far 
to exhibit the capabilities of the Jaisalmir stone, but it may also be satisfactory to 
learn, that the opinion of practical lithographers, who have tried it in India, is 
entirely in its favor. 
The Government, however, who are the chief consumers of the lithographic 
material in this country, would reap the greatest benefit from the introduction of 
the Jaisalmir stone, as it is cheaper than the German stone, and perfectly adapted 
for all common writings, forms, papers in the native characters, and similar works, 
of which the greatest portion of lithographic work executed in this country, 
consists. Private establishments also, could they provide an ample supply of it, 
would, no doubt, be glad to avail themselves of the resources of the country, instead 
of trusting to a precarious and desultory import from Europe. 
With the view of assisting, as far as may be practicable, in furthering so desir- 
able an arrangement, the following particulars are offered. 
Description and Analysis of the Jaisalmir Limestone . 
The Jaisalmir limestone, which is found in detached masses forming the summits 
of hills, resting on sandstone, is of an ochre yellow, or when polished, of a reddish 
brown colour. It breaks with a sub-conchoidal fracture in the large, haring thin 
flmty, and ragged edges ; the fracture in the small is uneven. The texture, or 
compos, t, on as ,t.s sonnet, mes called, is fine granular, something like that of the 
finest sandstones, but w.th sinning facets, interspersed so as to give it a semi- 
crystallised appearance, t frequently contains organic remains. It is harder, more 
sonorous, and more brittle than nure limnuf«nn „ , . , . ’ 
.. . v ..... . _ pUre Jlme stone, and yet, by the following analysis, 
— 10 K e : SPeCifiC gravi * was fou " d *«• ^ 2,81 in an ordinary 
cent! 2 66 P ‘ " W ‘‘ en SMUrat<id with water, of which it took up 0,5 per 
cu,teit°- g anaIySiS ^ kiniI,y fUmished Prinsep, Esq. of the Cal- 
Carbonat of lime, 
Vellow ochreous earth, similar in appearance to bole. 
97,5 
2,5 
0,2 per cent, of moisture had been 
previously driven off. 
100 , 
