188 On the Saline Efflorescence [April, 



4. That the most favourable ground for a trial is a tract on the 

 outer ridges, extending from 3000 feet above the sea, or the point 

 where the hot winds cease, up to the limit of winter snow. 



5. That in the valley called the Dehra Dim, if not the better, the 

 inferior sorts of tea might be produced. 



IV. — On the Efflorescence of Khar i Nun, or Sulphate of Soda, as found 

 native in the soil of Tirhdt and Sarun, in the province of Behar. By 

 Mr. J. Stephenson,. Supt. H. C. Saltpetre Factories, #c. 

 The first time I had an opportunity of observing the efflorescence of 

 this salt, took place in the month of January, 1831, between the vil- 

 lages of Mow and Jandaha, in Tirhiit. I was travelling between the first 

 place and Singhea, a distance of 40 miles. It being night time, and my 

 bearers having stopped to refresh themselves, I looked around and 

 was surprised to find the ground covered white in all directions. Being 

 then a stranger to this part of the country, and the weather very cold, 

 I thought the white appearance might be caused by frost rind*, or a 

 shower of snow ; but on further examination, I found it to be an efflores- 

 cence of saline matter, covering the earth to the depth (in some places) 

 of a quarter of an inch. In a few minutes, I collected a sufficient quan- 

 tity for future examination, and I subsequently subjected -the same to 

 analysis. The result I found as follows : 



Examination by tests. 



Litmus test paper, No change. 



Turmeric do Do - do - 



Oxalic acid," No precipitate. 



Prussiate of potass, No change. 



Muriate of barytes, Copious precipitate. 



Nitrate of silver Precipitate not very copious. 



The two last precipitates being carefully washed, dried, and weighed, 

 gave on the scale of equivalents, a percentage of 



Sulphate of soda, 58 



Muriate of do 22 



Insoluble matter, 20 



100 



Several other samples, which I tried, varied in the quantity of insolu- 

 ble earthy matter, but very little in the composition of the saline con- 

 tents. Of course the insoluble matter will vary according to the care 

 taken in collecting the article at the surface of the ground, the upper 

 part of which is the purest. 



I have during a three-years' residence had many opportunities of 

 observing (in my frequent journeys in Tirhut and Sarun) the efflores- 



* A circumstance of no unusual appearance in Behar during the cold season. 



