296 On the Gypsum of the Himalaya. [July, 



To those who may differ with me on the subject, 1 must observe in 

 conclusion, that gypsum has never been found in a country or district 

 ■where the presence of the lime carbonate has been wanting ; but mostly 

 in a position surrounded by vast tracts of that mineral, rising in successive 

 ranges in the vicinity of springs and running streams, whose courses 

 are marked by their deposit of lime, in the presence of springs impregnated 

 with sulphur and sulphuretted hydrogen. When the very ingredients 

 are at active work at the present day in the manufactory of sta- 

 lactite, may we not with circumstantial evidence at least, convict them 

 of pursuing a different course, and under different times and circum- 

 stances of forming gypsum! 



P. S. I may mention another deposit of the mineral on the Masuri 

 range, on the descent from the ridge or spur upon which Capt. Brooke 

 has fixed his residence, to the valley of the Aglar river. There are also 

 appearances of it on the ascent from Rajpiir via Jaraipani to Ma- 

 suri, in the black fragmentary rock interspersed with minute threads 

 of the gypsum, although, as far as my observation has been directed, the 

 mineral at this point does not appear in mass : at the former deposit 

 however, on the slope to the Aglar river, Ave find it in great abundance, 

 though in quality by no means superior to the SalkoVh variety ; the situa- 

 ton is partly to the right and left of the foot-path on the ascent, in large 

 nodular masses, or independent rocks, whose outer surface exhibits 

 the usual sharp angular and pointed features, and partly in irregular 

 lumps imbedded in the debris of a huge slip of the mountain, which must 

 have fallen within the last few years, as it bears every appearance of 

 freshness. Unless we are to suppose that the mountain from which 

 this slip has taken place was in itself formed of debris, and the rounded 

 boulders of water-worn rock, which I may safely assume not to be 

 the case, the appearance of these detached masses of gypsum is very 

 unusual; they neither look like pieces broken off from a large 

 mass in the fall of the mountain, nor have they the least resemblance to 

 boulders ; but from their uneven honey-combed surfaces, I could almost 

 bring myself to imagine, that they had been formed by infiltration into 

 holes and fissures in the rock or soil ; the outer surface decidedly having 

 the appearance of being formed in a mould which the irregular internal 

 surface of a natural cavity would exhibit. These pieces vary in size, 

 but do not exceed in dimensions a cubic foot or thereabouts. 



