146 Account of the Salt Mines of the Pan jab. [April, 



Formation. 



The salt range forms the southern boundary of a plateau between 

 the Indus and Hydaspes, which rises about 800 feet from the plains of 

 the Panjab. The hills rise to an actual height of about 1200 feet 

 from the valley of the Jelum, which gives them an elevation of about 

 2200 feet from the sea. They exceed five miles in breadth. The 

 formation is sandstone, occurring in vertical strata, with pebbles or 

 round stones imbedded in various parts of it. Vegetation is scanty, and 

 the bold and bare precipices, some of which rise at once from the plain, 

 present a frightful aspect of desolation. Hot springs are found in 

 various places. Alum, galena, and sulphur also occur ; but a red clay, 

 which is chiefly found in the valleys, is a sure indication of a salt de- 

 posit, and it is to be found at intervals throughout this range*. The 

 supply of the mineral is now drawn from Pind-Dadcm-Khan, whence 

 it can be conveyed with facility both up and down a navigable river. 



Mines. 



At the village of Keoru, five miles from Pind-Dddan-Khan, we 

 examined one of the principal mines. It was situated in a valley near 

 the outside of the range, which was cut by a rivulet of salt-water. It 

 opened into the hill through the red clayey formation above mention- 

 ed, at a distance of about 200 feet from the base. We were conducted 

 by a narrow gallery, sufficient to admit of one person passing 

 another, for about 350 yards, of which fifty may be taken as actual 

 descent. Here we entered a cavern of irregular dimensions, and about 

 an hundred feet high, excavated entirely in salt. The mineral is de- 

 posited in strata of the utmost regularity, occurring like the external 

 rock in vertical layers. Some of them however subtend an angle 

 of from 20 to 30 degrees, and have the same appearance as bricks that 

 have been placed upon one another. None of the layers exceed a 

 foot and a half in thickness, and each is distinctly separated from its 

 neighbour by a deposit of argillaceous earth, about an eighth of an 

 inch thick, which lies like mortar between the strata. Some of the salt 

 occurs in hexagonal crystals, but oftener in masses ; the whole of it is 

 tinged with red, varying from the slightest shade to the deepest hue ; — 

 when pounded the salt is white. The temperature of the cavern ex- 

 ceeded that of the open air by 20 degrees, when the thermometer 

 stood at 64° (in February). The natives state that these mines are much 

 colder in the hot season, but this only shews that they undergo little or 

 no alteration, while the heat outside increases as the season advances. 



* We have safely received the specimens of these minerals transmitted by LieuU 

 Burnes. — Ed. 



