Page:Journal of the Asiatic Society of Bengal Vol 7, Part 2.djvu/153

702 quantity, quality and locality, I refrain from entering into details of A, B and C, which probably will never b. worked, and are oni; interesting in a scientific point of view.

3. This extensive coal field distant from A, B, C more than 300 miles belongs to quite a different system. It is situated on a high level table-land, only diversified by an isolated range of mountains, from which the river issues which passes through the coal fields, and which ridg. may be considered as the eastern boundary of the British possessions towards Siam. The gulf of Siam inadirect line seems only tob. 45 miles distant. The Lazehin islands lie almost opposite.

4. The river originating in the neighbouring mountains is at the coal field only 15-25 yards broad, part of the year nearly dry, during five months from June to November (both inclusive) according to native reports it is uninterruptedly navigable for rafts. I ascended it in the month of April on rafts, before the commencement of the monsoon, as far as within three hours distance from the coal fields.

5. The river after having passed through the last table-land enters a hilly country, winding through the mountains chiefly in a northwest direction until it reaches another river coming from the south. Here the influence of the tides begins to be perceptible; it runs in the same direction about 40 miles having attained a breadth of from 50 to 80 yards at low water and enters at the village of Tenasserim. The large Tenasserim river is accessible there to vessels of 100 tons burthen, from whence the final distance to Mergu.; is about 50 miles’.

6. The coal itself is of superior quality being that species known in England under the name of pitch coal, much higher in price than common coal, and, on account of the greater quantity of bitumen which it contains, used for the generation of gas.

7. The quantity seems to be unlimited, taking into consideration only the upper stratum of six feet thickness as far as I was able to trace it on the surface. Allowing annually to be required 30,000 tons, this upper stratum alone would supply that large quantity for the period of 120 years with good coal.

8. But it is certain that other strata lie below, and that probably the quantity itill improves in the ratio as the depth increases, according toanalogyf.

• N. B. The sativee from Mgwl and different parts of Sian. go annually Iat th. mountains above the coal 6elde to cut an aromatic wood called 1tem. whiá ban article of commerce for the markets of Raagooa nd Basked.

t N. B. The specimens which accompany this memorandum must, though sery good coal, not be considered the best in quality; they are taken from the surface aal had been exposed for a lapse of age. to the constant action of water and —rt lufteac. of the itmoaphere. S