GEOGNOSY OF INDIA, 231 



much earthy iiapuritj'. It is principally used by the lower 

 orders. 



II. GEOGNOSTICAL STRrCTURE AND COMPOSITION OF INDIA.' 



1. Hirnmahh or Alpine Region. — It is said that the prin- 

 cipal valleys in this alpine land are perpendicular to its di- 

 rection, that is, run from north-north-east and north-east to 

 south-south-west and south-west ; and that frequently the 

 surface exposed to the west is rugged, while the opposite 

 one, facing the south-east, is shelving. The forms of the 

 mountains are exceedingly varied, being described as needle- 

 shaped, peaked, conical, ridge-shaped, and round-backed. 

 There are precipices, often of fearful abruptness and mag- 

 nitude, sometimes continuing mural or perpendicular for 

 miles, with an elevation of 200 and 300 feet ; and, accord- 

 ing to some travellers, even of 2000 and 3000 feet. The 

 jiasses that lead through this extraordinary region vary in 

 height, from that of Tungrang, one of the lower passes, 

 ■which is 13,740 feet, to the pass of Charang, 17,348 feet 

 above the sea. We possess but little information as to tha 

 general and particular direction and dip of the strata ; even 

 the principal geognostical features of the various formations 

 are scarcely at all knowai to us. 



1. Primitive Rocks. — From the reports of Webb, Gerrard, 

 Franklin, Govan, and Colebrooke, it appears that gneiss is 

 one of the most abundant of the stratified primitive rocks ; 

 associated with it, in some places having a subordinate 

 character, in others predominating, there occur mica-slate, 

 clay-slate, quartz-rock, hornblende-rock, potstone, indurated 

 talc, primitive limestone, and gypsum. These rocks are va- 

 riously intersected by granite and quartz veins, and in some 

 quarters vast bodies Of granite, forming whole mountains, 

 are observed rising through the stratified Ncptunean rocks 

 above enumerated. Schorl and tourmaline are of frequent 

 occurrence in these rocks. Of the gems, the precious gar- 

 net is the only one we have seen in specimens from the 

 Himmalehs, nor is any other mentioned by travellers. It 

 has been found in granite at the enormous height of 22,009 

 feet above the sea, — an interesting fact, showing that the 

 garnet is found at a greater elevation than any other gem. 

 The obsers'ations of our pupils in tropical regions, and at 

 the highest northern latitude hitherto reached by man, like^ 



