SPORT AND SCIENCE ON THE 



at the conclusion that they belonged to the 

 Shansi formation. 



PART 9 



The Geology of the Mongolian Plateau, 

 Inner Mongolia 



Throughout the whole of this journey nothing 

 but igneous and metamorphic rocks were en- 

 countered. In general it may be stated that this 

 portion of the Mongolian Plateau is formed by 

 an extensive lava-flow (or flows), traversed by 

 dykes of granite and quartz, the last occurring 

 with less frequency than the others. WTiether 

 these dykes are of an older date than the basalt it 

 is not easy to say. 



Topographically the area beyond the steep 

 ascent of the Han-nor-pa pass consists of very 

 slightly undulating plains of a uniform altitude 

 (about 4,000 feet), bounded or traversed by small 

 ranges of low, rocky, partially grass-covered hills. 

 The extremities of these are frequently joined 

 by almost imperceptible ridges. Sometimes they 

 end in abrupt cliffs, but most often they slope 

 gently into the plain. In the valleys there are 

 usually shallow lagoons of varying sizes ; while 

 occasionally permanent streams of clear, sweet 

 water wind through very clayey soil. The soil 

 round the lagoons is also very argillaceous. 



The ascent of the Han-nor-pa pass is through 



278 



