GEOGNOSY OF THE HIMMALEHS. 233 



Ltmestane.—\:ndeT this name we include the various 

 marbles whether white or coloured, that have been seen m 

 the vallevs and mountains. Captain Frankhn mentions a 

 variety resembling that of lona, found at no great distance 

 from the plains, and also a fine dolomite marble which he 

 observed in many places. At no great distance from the 

 lona-like marble there is a flesh-coloured dolomite, with 

 Burple-clouded delineations, which promises well. A mar- 

 ble of more crystalline nature appears on the road to tiha- 

 dreenatk above the Bishen Ganga. 



C:y„,„„,._This rock has a pure white colour and granu- 

 lar foliated structure. " It is probable," Uaptam Frankhn 

 remarks, "that its chief use in Bengal, for some time, 

 would be as convertible into plaster of Pans, and affording 

 a material for cornices and ornamental work, to the banish- 

 ment of the ver,- rude productions of this kind we have 

 hitherto put up with. There is, perhaps, a sufficient quan- 

 tity of it to answer anv demand likely knmediately to arise. 

 When the government-house was last repaired, it was con- 

 sidered desirable to obtain a sufficiency for the purpose 

 above indicated ; but the f\ict of its occurrence within our 

 mountain-provinces was not known at that time. As it is 

 within fifty or sixty miles of water-carnage, it might be ex- 

 pected to pay for its transport." , . , , , -• 



Polxlonc— This rock mav be used with advantage tor 

 linincT ovens and furnaces, and for architectural purposes. 

 Front its sothiess it might easily be turned on a lathe into 

 various useful articles. _ 



2 Salme Minerals.— Alum.— This saline mineral occurs 

 in efflorescence on rocks of different kinds, particularly on 

 alum-slate, and might in some situations be collected with 



^^°Su'lphate of Iron, or Green Vitriol.— Th\s salt too is met 

 with frequently as an efflorescence, on rocks containing py- 

 rites or sulphuret of iron. We do not know that it is any- 

 where collected for economical purposes. • 



Borax —\\tho\i<yh this salt has not been discovered within 

 the present limits of British India, still, as the production 

 of a neitrhbouring country, and a valuable article of com- 

 merce, it may be mentioned. The whole supply of the 

 European market passes through these mountains. 



3. Inflammable Muccrals.—Sulphur.—Be^osHions ot sul- 



U 3 



