Geology of the Meywar District. 335 



In regard to the simple minerals of this district, I can give 

 little information, as none of any consequence met my eye, ex- 

 cept, indeed, some very beautiful specimens of rock-crystal, and 

 some crystals of amethyst , of no great value. Garnets, also, 

 were seen in great quantities in the dried-up beds of rivulets, 

 and these had obviously been washed down from the gneiss and 

 mica-slate formations, in which rocks they were of frequent oc- 

 currence. Steatite was also common in the granites. Neither 

 can I give any satisfactory account of the metals. I have no 

 doubt, however, that if this district were properly explored, 

 many rich metallic veins might be discovered. There are seve- 

 ral iron founderies in the district ; and at a village named Jowar, 

 about twelve miles from Oudeypore, lead occurs in considerable 

 quantities. It is associated with quartz strata, and several years 

 ago it was worked to great advantage, not only for the sake of 

 the lead, but also of the silver which is found with it. The na- 

 tives indeed state, that it was exceedingly rich in silver, and that 

 a bullock-load of it was yearly presented to the ranah by the 

 renter, as a present, in addition to the rent which he paid. It 

 seems now to be exhausted, and the mine is worked solely for 

 the lead, although specimens in which silver occurs are still 

 found. 



this appearance of horizontal stratification not rather owing to those natural 

 joints which so frequently occur in quartz rocks ? We are the more inclined 

 to this opinion, from its being in accordance with Captain Dangerfield's ob- 

 servations on the quartz-rock of this district. Talking of two quartz-hills in 

 the neighbourhood of Maunpoor, he says: " From the division of this rock into 

 vertical and horizontal fissures, arises a singular wall-like structure, and an an- 

 gular wild outline, and castellated appearance, which, with its brilliant white 

 colour, contrasted with the sombre hue of the slates, makes these hills at a 

 distance resemble snowy peaks, rising from amidst desolation and disorder." 

 Vide Sir John Malcom's Memoir of Central India^ Appendix, No. II. 



(To he cofUinued.) 



z 2 



