109 



Extract of a letter from Nathaniel Smith, Esq. C. S.* 



Thinking that you as a geologist might consider the following ob- 

 servations worthy of attention by any skilful professor of the science, 

 who would undertake a survey of the tract of country referred to, I 

 do myself the pleasure of inviting your attention to the subject. My 

 own knowledge of geology is nothing — being confined to the study 

 of Lyell's work, without a mineralogical cabinet. 



During a late trip to Darjeeling T was much struck with the cha- 

 racter of the country, and the opportunities which it apparently affords 

 of conducting geological researches on a large scale. 



There appear to be three distinct fields of observation, all connected ; 

 the secondary, the metamorphic, and the primitive and volcanic. On 

 approaching the mountains, three considerable rivers present them- 

 selves — the Teestah, the Mahanuddy, and the Balasun ; of these the 

 Teestah is the largest, entering the plains from the secondary range, 

 where at its embouchure the mountains are 5 or 600 feet high; they 

 descend abruptly to the river side clothed with forest from top to bot- 

 tom ; there is no track path ; the lines of stratification present an 

 angle of 45°, and the levels themselves may be four or five feet thick. 

 The attempt to ascend this river is impeded by constantly recurring 

 rapids. After ascending with a party some years ago about four miles, 

 or perhaps less, we were stopped by two rocks, through which the entire 

 body of water forced its way in a passage not three feet broad. Here 

 the character of the mountains changed, and we came upon slate of 

 a coarse description, and apparently incapable of being quarried; a light 

 canoe might have been lifted over the rapid, but we were not prepared 

 for a further advance. 



This was in March, and with the hot winds blowing in the plains, 

 we were glad to use blankets at night — the cold wind of the hills 

 descended in a gale, to find its way into the rarified region below; 

 the wind lulled always in the morning with the rising of the sun. The 

 coldness of the water was intense, and wine placed in it was cooled as 

 it comes from the most skilful Abdar. 



* Nothing has been written regarding the geology of the Sekim mountains since 

 Captain Herbert first visited Darjeeling about ten years ago. Mr. Smith's re- 

 marks are therefore of much interest, and will we hope draw attention to the sub- 

 ject.— Ed. 



