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Records of the Geological Survey of India. 
[VOL. X. 
volatile matter, so as to approach to anthracite in composition. At the same time the crush¬ 
ing to which the seams have been subjected has squeezed them so that they often vary 
greatly in thickness within a few yards, and has induced a flaky structure in the coal, which 
renders it so friable that it can be crumbled into powder between the fingers with the 
greatest ease. With respect to the economic value of the coal, it was pointed out that 
owing to the high inclination of the seams; their rapid variations in thickness, as well as in 
dip and strike; the shattered condition of the rocks in many places, and the friable state of 
the coal, great difficulties wore to be anticipated in any attempt to mine the coal; its pow¬ 
dery condition also rendering it useless as fuel until after conversion into either coke or 
patent fuel. 
Considering that the friable condition of the coal was almost beyond doubt due to crushing 
during the period of elevation of the Damuda rocks, and not to mere atmospheric influences, 
the opinion was expressed that but little hope of improvement at a distance from the sur¬ 
face could be anticipated. At the same time, the value of workable coal in this part of 
India would be so immense, even if workable with difficulty, that it was recommended to 
place this point altogether beyond doubt by driving trial drifts for some distance into one 
or two of the more favourably placed seams. From these drifts some information would also 
be gleanable as to the steadiness of the seams with respect to thickness, &e. A seam at 
Tindharia of 11 feet at the outcrop, and another in the Chirankhola jhora of about 
0 feet, were recommended for these experimental openings. Subsequently, however, it was 
determined to drive into the former of these alone. 
The work was placed under the direction of Mr. A. H. Tyndall. Executive Engineer 
of the Darjiling and Jalpaigori division. In such treacherous ground, with men wholly 
unaccustomed to work of the kind, the difficulties encountered were by no means small. 
The hill coolies were most unwilling to work underground with the possibility before them 
of being buried alive, and two explosions of fire-damp, although they did hut little damage, 
were not calculated to reassure their minds. Neither were they much encouraged by a fall 
of earth which closed up the mouth of the mine one day just as they were about to enter 
it for the day’s work. Some copper miners from Sikkim, who are accustomed to burrowing 
in the ground, and who it was supposed would make no difficulty about the matter, were 
engaged, but on seeing what was wanted, and that the excavation was not in the hard rock 
they were accustomed to, they declined to have anything to do with it. 
The outcrop where the drift was commenced is in the bed of a small stream (about 200 
yards south-west of the Tindharia bungalow), from which the ground rises steeply on both 
sides, the seam crossing the rivulet nearly at right angles, and heading straight into the 
side of the hill. Work was begun by cutting away the superficial earth and exposing 
a vertical face at a distance of about 10 feet from the original outcrop. From this point 
the adit, 4 feet 6 inches high by 2 feet 6 inches broad, was driven, with an upward incli¬ 
nation of about 5 degrees to allow for drainage. Cross-cuts were made at intervals to 
determine the thickness of the seam. In April last the excavation had been driven to a 
depth of about 100 feet from the entrance, when the miners were suddenly brought to a 
standstill by coming on solid sandstone. I was consequently directed to proceed to the 
place and examine the drift. The accompanying plan* shows its course with reference to 
the seam, and the cause of the apparent discontinuance of the coal. Owing to a twist of 
the seam towards the right, the miners got, near the fourth cross-cut, into the dark brown 
shale, containing some coal, which underlies the main seam, and, penetrating this, came on 
the sandstone below. 
* I am indebted to Mr. Tyndall for the topographical features. 
