x Report of the Mineralogical Survey [No. 126*, 



But these hindrances are now I trust at an end, and with the assist- 

 ance so liberally granted me, I am not without hopes of improving and 

 adding to this paper so [as to render it not altogether discreditable to 

 myself, and I trust such as may] embolden me to look forward to the 

 patronage of Government in the eventually contemplated act of publi- 

 cation. 





SKETCH OF THE GEOLOGY OF THE HIMMALAYAS. 



Section I. 



1. Previously to entering on the detailed description which is to 

 be the subject of this paper, it will be necessary to take a general but 

 cursory view of the Geography of Central Asia. This great country, so 

 interesting in every point of view, constitutes it is probable, whether 

 we consider its physical aspect, or its geological structure, a system, 

 or whole, without [some general view of which to assist us, none of its'] 

 parts can be fully [comprehended.] It is in their connection with this 

 singular country that we shall see some of the most interesting re- 

 lations of the tract in question. Nor does it appear possible to obtain 

 a clear and connected idea of those relations, without extending our 

 view to the great whole, of which our mountain provinces form but a part. 



2. Unfortunately, however, so deep is the obscurity which covers 

 the Physical Geography of Central Asia, that little is to be done beyond 

 offering probable guesses on many of the most important points. The 

 [accounts of geographers and travellers, even those lately given to the] 

 public, are so meagre as to leave us little to glean. And even in that 

 little they are frequently so contradictory, that it is not easy to obtain 

 any thing like certainty, except as to a few leading features. 1 Even 



1. It is quite astonishing how little we know even of countries comparatively easy 

 of access, and often visited, I mean of their physical features. Of Persia we do not 

 to this day know the elevations of its great plains and mountain ranges. Of Cabul 

 we are equally ignorant. It would appear as if observations, amongst the easiest to 

 be made, and requiring little skill or ability, have yet a mysterious terror for the 

 otherwise most intelligent and able travellers. Our ignorance is the more provoking, 

 as very near approximations to truth may be made in all the several results required 

 by Physical Geography, with very slender means, and scarcely any science : how 

 much may be done by a traveller possessed of only a pocket sextant, a good watch, 

 a thermometer, and a pocket compass. 



