Iiq^ THE EASTERN SALT RANGE, PUNJAB. 345 



The strati graphic relations of the Salt-Range series having been 

 treated of from a non-palaeoutological position, depending upon the 

 distribution of its so-called glacial boulder-beds, the consideration 

 of the facts regarding these renders it necessary to present a con- 

 densed diagrammatic idea of the distribution of the whole of the 

 rock-groups as they occur in different cross-sections of the range. 

 This is done in the annexed table (p. 34G), the groups being num- 

 bered to show their relative general stratigraphic positions in the 

 local series as realized from close observations constantly compared. 



The argument of Dr. "Waagen's paper in the Indian Records is 

 that all the boulder-beds lying between Nos. 8 & 11 in the eastern 

 columns of the table, and those lying between Nos. 1 or 2 and 6 

 in the western columns, pertain to one general group of rocks of 

 glacial character, and belonging to the upper portion of the Carboni- 

 ferous series; that they are discordant, both to the underlying 

 saline series and to the overlying Mesozoic groups*: and are 

 identical or homotaxial with the Talchir boulder-beds of the penin- 

 sular Gondwana series, and also with certain glacial boulder-beds 

 in Australia and South Africa. 



These peculiar boulder-beds of the Salt Range, at an early period 

 of their observation, suggested a similarity between themselves and 

 the Talchir deposits of Central India ; but the first evidence of 

 their boulders bearing glacial markings was discovered by Mr. Theo- 

 bald after the east part of the Salt Range had been mapped f. Like 

 all the natural groups of the range, they presented definite features 

 and inconstant horizontal distribution ; in addition, they were 

 often found to present general similarity of character, particularly 

 as to their crystalline contents, with slight variation from purple 

 to very dark tints of their earthy matrix. Their chief peculiarity, 

 however, is that their metamorphic blocks are absolutely foreign to 

 the whole neighbouring countries, so far as could be ascertained J 

 while the ground was under examination. The boulder-beds pre- 

 vail most collectively in two areas, one in the eastern part, and 

 another larger development far away in the western part of the 

 cis-Indus Salt Range and its extension trans -Indus in that di- 

 rection. As stated in my Report on the Salt Range, p. 278, these 

 beds were found to occupy different horizons, and being united by 

 their crystalline blocks with a very considerable conglomeratic band, 

 from just above the Eocene limestone downwards to the basal saline 

 group of the series, their glacial character becomes an accessory of, 

 rather than a special cause for, their existence. Under the tranquil 



* Notwithstanding Dr. Waagen's previous siatement that total unconformity 

 is " absolutely wanting in the Salt-Range," Pal. Ind. ser. xiii. Salt-Range Fobs. 

 pt. i. p. 2, foot. 



t I learn for the first time, from this paper by Dr. Waagen, that he observed a 

 great number of striated pebbles in these beds, although our conferences were 

 continual and, on my part, without reserve. 



X On this point Mr. Oldham's late visit to the Salt Range has enable! him 

 to identify among the fragments several varieties of well-known peninsular 

 rocks, an important and satisfactory addition to previous knowledge. See his 

 paper, loc. cit. supra. 



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