42? 



Lieut. -Colonel Sykes on a portion of Dukhun. 



meter and with a disposition to determinate forms, are piled upon each other, 

 constituting rude pillars. In certain parts of the country from fifty to sixty of 

 these heaps are seen within the area of a couple of square miles, and it ex- 

 cites surprise that the intermediate ground is destitute of stones. 



Sheets of Rock. 



Mention must not be omitted of the constant recurrence of sheets of rock 

 of considerable extent at the surface, and totally destitute of soil : this is par- 

 ticularly the case in the Mawals, or hilly tracts along the Ghats, They 

 abound with narrow vertical veins of quartz and chalcedony. When of suffi- 

 cient thickness, the vein splits in the centre parallel to the surface of its 

 walls, the interior being drusy with quartz crystals : the walls consist of 

 layers of chalcedony, cachalong, hornstone, and semi-opal. These veins 

 supply the majority of the siliceous minerals so abundantly strewed over 

 Dukhun. 



The localities where the sheets of rocks particularly struck me were Lakungaon, on the plain of 

 Joonur, and generally in the valley of the Goreh river ; at Kothool, Pergunneh Kurdeh ; at 

 Kheir and Raseen ; in the hill fort of Hurreechundurghur ; most markedly between Kooldurrun 

 and Pairgaon on the Beema river. At Aklapoor, on the Mool river, they were very extensive ; 

 and at Angur, Mohol, Kurjut, and Patkool. Generally in tlie eastern and south-eastern parts of 

 my tract, much decomposing amygdaloid is found at the surface of the low table-lands or terraces, 

 which, in favourable monsoons, is equal to the support of Jowaree*; but a small deficiency in the 

 rains occasions the destruction of the crop. 



Structure and Mineral Composition of the Trap Rocks. 



The structure and mineral composition of the trap rocks in Dukhun vary 

 exceedingly in short distances, even in the same stratum ; nevertheless, the 

 predominant character does not disappear, although the basalt in a con- 

 tinuous bed may pass several times from close-grained, compact, and almost 

 black, to gray, amygdaloidal, and externally decomposing. The same ob- 

 servation applies to the amygdaloids. A variety of compact basalt, of an 

 intense green colour, is susceptible of a brilliant polish, and rivals the cele- 

 brated Egyptian kind. It is of great weight and remarkable hardness : the 

 natives use it to work into idols for their temples, pedestals to the wooden 

 columns in their mansions, and slabs for inscriptions. The bulls of the size 

 of life, always placed before the temples of Mahadeo, are cut out of this 

 variety at Raseen, Wurwund, and the renowned Boleshwur. Some of the 

 pedestals in the gateway of the Mankeswur palace at Teimboornee look like 



* Andropogon Sorghum. 



