204 WYNNE : TKANS-INDUS SALT REGION, KOHAT DISTRICT. 



quarries almost horizontal lines of stratification were observed, and a 

 thick regular band of gypsum parallel to the salt rested upon it. From 

 this and the general appearance, the salt about the quarries may be 

 considered either horizontal or slightly inclined to the north. The 

 amount of debris about the quarries is very great, and the whole ground 

 seems already so worked over that no continuous supply of salt can be 

 expected from any of the openings. 



In January 1874 there were thirteen different places of excavation at 

 work. Of these eight agreed in construction with the vault-shaped 

 form of quarry which is specially adapted to a place where such a great 

 mass of debris exists. Two of these vault-shaped quarries had just 

 been started afresh from the top, the space within the former vault had 

 just been filled with debris, and more of this was being removed to clear 

 the necessary surface of rock-salt. The other vaulted quarries had 

 working surfaces from 20 to 50 feet in length and from 4 to 10 feet in 

 width. In one of the quarries earth and debris not only limited the salt 

 wall on both sides, but appeared also behind, so that evidently the last re- 

 maining piece of salt within reach was being worked out. The wall 

 leading to the salt through the surface debris was in a most dangerous 

 state and ready to fall in. 



The largest of the vault-shaped quarries measured 50 feet long at 

 the base and 10 feet broad ; it was connected with some caves, the re- 

 mains of other excavations. A road led through these caves by which 

 bullocks brought up the salt from the working ; the salt wall in situ 

 was about 60 feet high, whilst the heading reached at one side up to 

 100 feet above the bottom of the quarry. Notwithstanding the large ex- 

 posure of the salt, no distinct stratification could be noticed, and large 

 cracks were seen in it filled with clay or debris. A man had been killed 

 here by the fall of an overhanging bank of the latter a few days before 

 our visit. 



Another of these vault- shaped excavations had all the appearance 

 of a mine ; it had been carried out at an angle of 45° into the hill side for 



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