2G0 PROCEEDINGS OF THE GEOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 



The valley of Gilalaliu presents a highly instructive section (fig. 3). 

 It is a denuded valley of elevation in the sandstone-series, having a 

 central axis parallel to the main range,— namely N.W. and S,E. 



On descending from the gravel cliffs which I have previously 

 described as intervening between Dizful and this valley, the axis of 

 sandstone is seen in the form of an elongated saddle, extending in a 

 straight line down the valley for many miles to the south-east. This 

 axis is flanked on either side by regular parallel ridges of similar 

 sandstone, which slope outwards, having abrupt and broken escarp- 

 ments facing towards the axis. The extreme regularity of these 

 ridges gives the valley the appearance of a well-ploughed field on a 

 gigantic scale. The dip near the axis is at an angle of about 25°, 

 but this angle increases towards the sides of the valley, and on the 

 S.W. the strata at length become almost vertical ; and their denuded 

 edges are covered unconformably by horizontal limestone-gravel (see 

 fig. 3). Several patches of gravel rest on the summit of the central 

 axis in tabular masses ; but I had no opportunity of ascertaining 

 whether they belong to the limestone-conglomerate described at 

 p. 253, or whether they are merely denuded portions of a bed inter- 

 calated between the layers of sandstone. 



Beds of fine gravel frequently alternate with the sandstones here 

 as well as in the Hamrines and at Kasr-i-Shirin. In descending, the 

 gravels give place to variegated marls with crystals of selenite. The 

 sandstone is of the usual type ; very friable, calcareous, and reddish 

 from the abundance of fragments of red chert. The surface of the 

 beds is generally smooth ; but it frequently rescm.bles a pavement of 

 uniform diamond-shaped blocks, separated from each other by deep 

 cracks. This appearance is probably due to rupture during ele- 

 vation ; the fissures being subsequently filled up with a calcareous 

 deposit. 



A small stream flows across the valley, cutting its way through 

 the ridges. When it comes in contact wdth the smooth surfaces of 

 the beds, a thick incrustation of chloride of sodium above the level 

 of the water-line is the result. As the water is not yet become salt, 

 the mineral must exist in the rock itself. 



The Oleander and the Tamarisk are the usual shrubs which grow 

 along the banks of this and other streams flowing through the sand- 

 stone rocks. 



I did not cross the valley sufliciently far to the N.E. to be able to 

 state whether any deposits of gypsum are there to be m.et with. 



Section at Shuster. — At Shuster are exhibited some very fine sec- 

 tions of the gravel and sandstone beds. The A'b-i-Gargar division of 

 the Kariin River, after passing the Blind i-Kaisar, enters a channel 

 between cliffs of these rocks, 70 feet in height. The stratification is 

 horizontal, and in the lower part consists entirely of fine yellowish- 

 red sandstone. In ascending, however, the laminae become coarser, 

 much disturbed, and mixed with gravel ; while still higher up the 

 pebbles are larger and more common, until at the surface they cover 

 the cliffs. Frequent and very violent currents must have been in 

 action during the deposition of the whole upper part of the gypsum- 



