1841.] On the Mineral resources, Src. of Northern Afghanistan. 89 



All of these deposits of coal are of the lignite species ; the mineral is of a velvet 

 black colour, and approaching to jet or pitch coal. The Kaneegoorum coal burns 

 freely ; and with much flame and smoke ; the Hissaruk is rich-looking, crumbles into 

 angular fragments, and particles of it, as well as that of Dobundee, which I have 

 tried in the flame of a candle, burned well, considering that they were obtained from 

 the surface. What I have as yet discovered at Dobundee is in very thin seams, pul- 

 verulent, and resembling coal-dust more than anything else. The Syghan coal ig- 

 nites with great difficulty, and the flame, which is very slight, has a greenish tinge. 

 Underneath the surface, this character may be expected to alter considerably for the 

 better. 



Although this coal is of a subsequent geological date to the mineral we are accus- 

 tomed to use in England, which belongs to what is technically termed the " indepen- 

 dent coal formation," it by no means follows, that profitable beds of it may not be 

 discovered, and in time create a great change in the comfort and commercial pros- 

 perity of many parts of this kingdom, where wood is extremely scarce. Coal of this 

 description is extensively used in many parts of Europe, and is frequently of excellent 

 quality.* It is mined in the island of Veglia for the use of the Trieste steamers. 

 Twenty-eight beds of it are wrought about Toulon and Marseilles. At Colognet here 

 is a bed of it 30 feet thick ; the mines of Styria, and of Buda in Hungary, are famous 

 for their immense supplies of this fuel ; great beds of it are worked in Switzerland, 

 in the valleys of the Po, the Danube, and other quarters of the continent. 



It will readily be acknowledged, therefore, that although the coal deposits of this 

 country belong to a more recent geological period than that of the independent 

 coal formation, it would be an unphilosophical conclusion to suppose on that ac- 

 count, that they may not exercise the happiest influence on the welfare of its inha- 

 bitants. To the Huzareh, the possession of this substance, if found in sufficient 

 quantities, would prove most invaluable. It would enable him to work with every 

 advantage his abundant mines of iron, copper, and lead ; and in a country with so 

 rigorous a climate, and so destitute of fuel, it would be to him the most useful produc- 

 tion. Should profitable beds of the mineral be discovered in the direction of Dobun- 

 dee, there is a level road from it to Cabool, by the plain of Sagur ; and how far the for- 

 mation may be traced along the Ghilzye tract is yet unknown. 



Lastly, the coal of the Wuzeeree territory may turn out of importance, as well for 

 the working of the extensive iron mines in that quarter, as for steam navigation 

 on the Indus. 



Amidst the numerous samples of ores which have come under my observation, 



the gold which is brought down by the streams from the mountains 

 Gold, &c. 



above Lughman and Kooner, is all that I have as yet seen, which 



I can pronounce upon as pertaining to the precious metals. It is stated to be found 



likewise in streams from the Kohi Baba range, in the country of the Huzarehs, and 



* At a single establishment in Wales, there are 13 large blast iron furnaces at work, and it is 

 estimated that their consumption of fuel is 400,000 tons of coal per annum. Works like these con - 

 ! vey an idea of the stupendous industry of England. 



M 



