CHAP. 4.] EARTHQUAKES. 45 



track to Eaoma-ka-bazaar was followed for twelve miles mostly oyer salt 

 Ruqn and ' hdler.' Branching from it to the left, at Jerruk Dhooij* 

 about four miles further on Ahmrai Dhooi was reached. 



The whole of the Runn here was covered by a painfully glaring, 

 strong crust of salt, as white as snow, thrown up into waves by the 

 shrinking of the ground beneath, and in the neighbourhood of the dliooi 

 thickly strewed with small salt and sun-dried fish, marsh or laud shells, 

 and portions of coleopterous insects. 



From here the direction or distance of Sindree were but imperfectly 

 known to the guides. At half past 12 o'clock, exchanging camels 

 for two from the Bunnee said to be better accustomed to the mud, 

 Ahmrai Dhooi was left behind to the south-east. For about two miles 

 the salt was firm and even, though covered with heaps of sharp 

 crystals ; then entering upon the mud of the Sindree basin a somewhat 

 devious course was pm-sued to avoid the worst places, the camels sinking 

 to the knees at almost every step and the guides sounding the way 

 in front with sticks. Riding became impracticable, and after labour- 

 ing on till evening, at a rate of apparently nearly three miles an hour, 

 the tower of Sindree at length rose to view above an horizon of mud 

 and half dissolved salt, but was not reached till sunset. 



Upon approaching the place it was found to be but a small spot, 

 still surroimded by water; about 50 yards of ankle-deep, transparent 

 brine with a sheet of white salt beneath, having to be crossed to reach 

 the tower. This presented the appearance shown ia the annexed sketch, 

 (Plate II,) very little of the patch being excluded from the view on 

 either side. The place of the old river course was occupied by brine, 

 without banks, in which no current could be perceived ; its width was 

 estimated at about 250 yards, and it extended as far as could be seen to 

 the northward and southward. All else around was level Runn, over 



* A solitary hyena fjerrulcj was seen here; what it could have found to live ou except 

 cattle dying on the road to Sind, is a mystery. 



( 45 ) 



