412 Mr. Fraser's Geological Observations, Sgc. 



Copper pyrites crystallized in pentagonal dodecahedrons occurs abundantly 

 in every part of the island. 



Near the old town the hills rise very abruptly^ and the connecting ridges 

 are narrow and rugged. A nearly horizontal line may be traced along the 

 crest of the high ground, denoting a change of substance. Above this line the 

 rocks are of a dark brown colour, and rise into peaks or needles ; all the ravines 

 and slips are at a lower level. The detritus in the valleys readily agglutinates, 

 notwithstanding the apparent paucity of calcareous matter. 



LARREK ISLAND, 



Which is equidistant from the islands of Ormur and Kishm, is said to con- 

 sist of nearly the same substances, ferruginous rocks, iron ores, and gypsum 

 with brine-springs. On the north and north-east it contains also limestone. 



ARYAN ISLAND 



Is situated close to Kishme island. Nearly in its centre ironstone and iron 

 ore have been discovered in the bed of a torrent. 



POLIOR ISLAND. 



Specular iron ore has been found here also. 



All the other islands, as far as information has been obtained, consist of the 

 same rocks as occur at Kishme and Cape Bombarak. This appearance of the 

 horizontal strata seen between Kishme and Bushire sanctions this opinion. 

 The rocks at Muscat are likewise in all probability the same. 



At Barn hill, situate on the coast of Congoom Bay, and rising to the height 

 of perhaps 3000 feet, and at Cape Verdistan, the rocks are distinctly stra- 

 tified. From thence to Bushire the hills are calcareous. Besides beautiful 

 alabaster and other varieties of gypsum, they produce calcareous spar, which 

 is used in making the finer sorts of cement. 



The upper end of the Persian Gulf is very shallow. At Bushire there 

 are not at a considerable distance from shore above 4 or 5 fathoms water ; the 

 peninsula is alluvial, consisting of sand or mud, often saline ; the sands often 

 rise into dunes. The bed nearest the surface is calcareous freestone or grit 

 abounding in shells, which is called by the people of the country ghutch : be- 

 neath it are two other varieties of shelly limestone. Large masses of alabaster 

 are found on the hills, brought down or exposed by winter torrents. 



I propose to lay before the Society an account of the circumstances under 

 which the turquoise occurs in the Feeroza mines at Nichapoor, and have sent 

 a series of specimens illustrative of my present communication. 



