348 PROCEEDINGS OF THE GEOLOGICAL SOCIETY. [April 28, 



and at this place I procured some of my best specimens. Many of 

 them were still in their original position imbedded in the rock, the 

 denuded surface of which was here perfectly smooth. At this place 

 I found a jaw-bone lying flat, appearing entire, and as if pressed its 

 own depth into the rock at a time when it was soft. Upon attempt- 

 ing to remove it I found that it was loose, and perceived that the 

 bone had been broken into several transverse portions, resting in 

 juxtaposition in the original mould, where doubtless the bone had 

 been fossilized previous to the disturbance which upraised the forma- 

 tion. Near this jaw-bone, but on the surface, I found a portion of a 

 remarkable tusk about five inches in length ; I am unable to refer it 

 to any described animal, and strongly suspect that it originally be- 

 longed to the above-mentioned jaw-bone. This tusk, which I believe 

 belonged to the left ramus of the lower jaw ?, has a diameter of about 

 an inch (I write from memory), is slightly curved and pointed, the 

 lower portion cylindric, the outer side of the apex trenchant and 

 sharp-edged, vdth the inner side rounded. The bones found here, 

 though much broken, have not suifered from attrition, the fractures 

 being for the most part acute. Night came upon me while engaged on 

 this spot, and with much difficulty I retraced my steps to my tent. 



All my provisions were now expended ; and nothing, not even milk, 

 being obtainable from the Belochees of this neighbourhood, I was 

 compelled to return to the plain of Sinde. I intended taking in sup- 

 plies, and again returning to this interesting locality, but on reaching 

 Raja Derah, about six miles from the outer range and the nearest 

 village where supplies were to be had, 1 was informed that an army 

 was in the act of assembling at Roree with the intention of moving 

 on the Punjaub. I therefore abandoned my geological excursion, and 

 lost no time in rejoining my regiment at Roree. 



From Raja Derah I passed through a belt of low Acacia jungle, 

 recrossed the tail of the desert, and regained the road from Sehwan to 

 Sukkur at a place called Gaza-Peer (not to be confounded with 

 " Peer Gaza," above noticed), and thence to Meher, in all about 35 

 miles. The latter place is near the borders of the desert ; and the 

 next march, 1 6 J miles in a northerly direction, lies for the most part 

 over the desert, the soil of which abounds with saline matter, crackling 

 as if ice-bound under foot. I remarked several places where salt- 

 petre had been manufactured, but none appeared to have been worked 

 lately. In places where saline matter was less prevalent, I found on 

 the surface innumerable individuals of the genera Vivipara, Planor- 

 bis, Melania and Lymnea*. From this to Sukkur nothing but plains 

 of sand and alluvium. 



In recapitulation I may state, that during this excursion I examined 

 the Hala Range of mountains from Cape Monze (lat. 24° 50') as far 



* The sandy ground flanking the desert is overgrown by a species of Tamarix, 

 to the branches of which a white translucent manna adhered in great quantities. 

 Three of my servants collected four pounds and a half in an hour, and I remarked 

 that they ate nearly as much as they collected. The Tamarix bore neither flowers 

 nor fruit at the season I saw it (January), so T am doubtful as to the exact species. 



