cl Report of the Miner alogical Survey [No. 126*. 



formations attain beyond the limits of the tract which is the subject 

 of this paper, it would still be true, that within this, tract no such 

 phenomena occur. The great extent covered by primary rocks, and 

 the total deficiency of the trap or volcanic rocks may then serve 

 to express the entire dissimilarity of geological structure between this 

 tract and the Andes,* and I think it a point of considerable interest, and 

 worth insisting on, that no traces of volcanic action, f whether recent 

 or otherwise, has yet been observed in these mountains. 



322. We have seen that these primary rocks are always stratified, and 

 that the dip in a great majority of instances is N. E., the direction of 

 the strata being consequently parallel to that of the zone of greatest 

 elevation. The inclination also being small, we may perceive strong 

 grounds for admitting the occurrence of comparatively recent formations 

 at great heights in proceeding along the line of dip. Thus at no very 

 great distance from the crest of the gneiss strata, we may fairly expect, 

 as is the fact, a clay slate, and then a limestone with ammonites, and no 

 doubt did our observations extend further to these, we should see suc- 

 ceeding secondary formations, tertiary, and lastly diluvian, so that upon 

 the whole, there is nothing improbable in the accounts of those who 

 assert the ammonites and belemnites to be found at no very great dis- 

 tance from our frontier. 



323. An interesting question is here suggested by the view I have 

 taken of the great central tract combined with this conclusion. We 

 know from Patrin, that the great Altaian chain consists like the Him- 

 malaya of primary formations. Are not these distant and opposite points 



* For this reason I have been at a loss to understand, how analogy had taught 

 us the primary nature of the Himmalaya formations. It certainly appears most 

 natural to compare them with the Andes, in order to deduce analogical inferences. 

 The Andes are not primary, the Himmalaya are so : analogical discoveries a posteriori, 

 are always to be suspected. 



f There is a foolish notion amongst some of the hill people, however, that the 

 great peak, called Nunda Debee, the highest of the range, and consequently in the 

 world, has been known to emit smoke. They suppose the smoke to be from the gods' 

 Choola or kitchen. It is hardly necessary to add, that there is no real foundation for 

 this opinion. The peak is within 60 miles of Almorah, distinctly visible at all seasons, 

 and had any thing of the kind ever occurred, it must have been seen by some of the 

 European residents at that station. It is, however, worthy of mention, that this peak 

 is scarcely ever seen without a small light cloud resting obliquely upward from its 

 summits ; such an appearance might be converted by the cra2y imagination of a 

 devotee into smoke ascending from his gods' Choola. 



