12a Mr Hardie's Observations on the 



traces of copper ; and I believe that copper-mines are worked, 

 but with no great activity, near Mandul, situated in this range. 



About twenty-four miles south of Buneerah is the fort of 

 Humeerghur, situated on a hill, which forms one of a small 

 group. On examining one of the hills, the first set of strata 

 which presented themselves consisted of mica-slate, of an earthy 

 appearance, and approaching to the nature of clay-slate, with 

 veins of quartz traversing its substance. Immediately above 

 this was a quartz rock, of a granular texture, and, in some si- 

 tuations, highly crystalline. Above this was mica-slate as be- 

 fore, and, superior to all, was a quartz rock, of a more opaque 

 compact nature than the former, and having a greyish, and 

 sometimes a brownish colour. These different strata were ar- 

 ranged in a highly inclined position. Both varieties of quartz 

 rock were distinctly stratified, but the higher one inclined more 

 to the slaty structure, and split easily into thin plates. 



From Humeerghur, southward to the Cheetore range, and 

 close to the city of that name, we have a succession of hills, com- 

 posed of quartz rock, resting upon clay-slate. The line of 

 march between these two places is hedged in with a thick, and 

 almost impenetrable, jungle, so that a person can scarcely see a 

 yard in any direction, except where an occasional gap presents 

 to the view the white precipices of quartz with which this por- 

 tion of country abounds, rising above the trees. The outgoings 

 of the clay-slate strata, which appear at the base of the quartz 

 precipices, approach in some situations to writing-chalk, and in 

 others they had a silky appearance, owing to the occurrence of 

 very minute scales of mica, which were disseminated through 

 the substance of the rock. The latter variety was sectile, and 

 adhered to the tongue. 



On approaching the city of Cheetore, about twenty-four 

 miles from Humeerghur, the country becomes less covered with 

 iungle; and, as the line of march runs along the slope of the 

 hills, we have an excellent view from the heights of the plains 

 below. On descending and leaving the quartz strata, the first 

 rock that presents itself is clay-slate. Next appears the com- 

 pact limestone formation described above ; which forms gentle 

 swells and elevations, giving to the country something of a 

 waved outline. We have now a splendid view of the city of 



