73 WYNNE : GEOLOGY OE THE SALT RANGE IN THE PUNJAB. 



found of such a homogeneous^ argillaceous and aqueous deposit of the 

 same depth in which signs of stratification are equally absent. In strong 

 contrast to this is the perfect lamination frequently seen in the enclosed 

 salt; and in the platy dolomitic layers. From the contorted state of the 

 latter, and the curvature of the beds of salt in some of the mines, it may 

 be presumed that, whether stratified or not, the salt marl is likewise 

 disturbed. It has never been found to show any traces of erosion before 

 the deposition of the next group. 



Dr. Fleming speaks of parts of the marl as brecciated, enclosing 

 angular masses of other rocks, and mentions thin, argillaceous, dark-red 

 layers in it. The latter I have not been able to detect, and the former 

 observation seems to refer to some superficial mingling of fallen materials. 

 Every one who has examined the ground pronounces the marl un- 

 fossiliferous, but I am not aware that any of it has been subjected to 

 microscopic examination. 



It may be found in the most complex association with various other 

 groups, and through faulting it is brought into juxta-position with some 

 of the very newest rocks of the series, or it may be apparently incousecu- 

 tively overlaid by various bands — a result of progressive displacement, 

 in most cases caused by the dissolving of the salt or washing out of 

 the marl from below the superior groups. It thus continually makes its 

 appearance among the stratigraphic wreck which it has itself produced, 

 and it is not completely buried by the mass of the overlying series, frac- 

 tures permitting it to appear occasionally on the top of the range and 

 along its northern slopes. Along the southern foot of the range it is 

 seen wherever the ground is not thickly covered 

 by debris. It rises pretty high to the eastward ; 

 at Khewra to 1,000 feet nearly ; at Kusuk to between this and 1,500 ; 

 at Mount Chambal (west) to nearer 300 feet ; but westward of Makrach it 

 lies generally low. At Varcha it is again high ; it has been found at 

 Dheri in the plateau country close to an elevation of 2,739 feet, and it 

 ( 73 ) 



