1G WYNNE: TRANS-INDUS SALT REGION, KOHAT DISTRICT. 



Physical features. — Here as elsewhere the physical features are* 

 chiefly the result of meteoric denudation, connected as a matter of 

 course with elevatory forces, but less strikingly here than in other places, 

 for the irregularities of the ground depend so palpably upon the 

 harder or softer texture of the rocks that differences of form would 

 probably have shown themselves under erosion without much reference 

 to the degree of elevatory force exerted ; still the positions of the rocks 

 have as usual had a governing influence in deciding the shapes which 

 the ground has assumed. Soft sandstones, when nearly horizontal or 

 slightly inclined, have taken the forms of, or approximate to, abruptly 

 scarped or tabular hills — the same kind of rocks at high angles forming 

 saw-edged ridges ; while all the chief ranges owe their height and 

 character to hard zones of nearly vertical limestone of much inferior 

 thickness, but greater strength than the bulk of the associated rocks. 



Large exposure of salt. — One physical peculiarity is the way in 

 which the salt rock occurs in naked exposures, so much more frequently 

 and of so much larger size than in the Cis-Indus or Salt Range proper, 

 leading to the enquiry whether this salt has or not a different solubility 

 (not likely to any considerable extent), or whether the humidity of the 

 atmosphere or rainfall varies in the two regions. The salt of both 

 regions being exceptionally pure, is liable to rapid solution by fresh 

 water, but in the salt of this region the frequently well marked strati- 

 fication is sometimes defined by a slight earthy admixture of fine 

 gray clay, (not, however, sufficient to interfere with the value of the 

 mineral,) and this may have an effect upon its manner of exposure in 

 masses. It may be observed too that less care is taken to preserve 

 the worked salt here from rain than in the Salt Range, the carrier in 

 wet weather protecting himself with his blanket rather than his load 

 of salt, and not seeming to regard the latter as likely to suffer much : 

 the salt here, however, being much less highly priced than it is on the 

 other side of the Indus, this may have an influence in making the buyers 

 careless. 



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