1056 Remarks on the Geology, Sfc. QDkc. 



and other places there is a primary sandstone ; we take notice of these 

 statements, in order to shew that Captain Herbert made the above 

 statements prematurely. It is impossible for any individual at all 

 acquainted with the mineralogical characters of rocks, and the rela- 

 tive position which they occupy in the crust of the earth, to attempt 

 to prove that in one continent rocks with identically the same charac- 

 ters and fossils, are different from those in another. To find slate 

 clay, bituminous shale, limestone, and sandstone, as the equivalent of 

 the red marl, upon the evidences he has given, is more than prema- 

 ture, originating however, in all probability, from the description of the 

 rocks in the Punjaub, which (probably without a proper examina- 

 tion) have been considered as the continuation of those to the east- 

 ward. It has been stated no doubt that no bituminous shale occurs, 

 but we have shewn that it, as well as limestone, occurs in great 

 abundance, the former of which rendering the probability of the exist- 

 ence of coal in quantity, more probable. That the equivalent of the 

 red marl may be found, and that too in some of the districts men- 

 tioned by Herbert, is possible ; and if such should turn out to be the 

 case, it is well worthy of examination, seeing that it is in this for- 

 mation, the great beds of rock, salt, and gypsum, or sulphate of 

 lime are found. 



To discover coal in quantity in the neighbourhood of the 

 Sutledge, or any place where there is easy access of carriage 

 in that direction, would no doubt, in a short time, be of incal- 

 culable benefit to the country at large. In a short time the Indus 

 will become an immense resort for trade, and we may expect 

 it soon to be covered by all kinds of vessels ; but those to which 

 the European looks forward, whose power and rapidity of mo- 

 tion have so approximated Europe, will ever take the lead; and 

 until stream vessels are impelled by some other moving power, 

 coal will ever be considered as one of the greatest benefits conferred on 

 mankind ; moreover in connexion with the coal we may expect to find 

 clay iron-stone, which will also prove of the utmost consequence. 

 It is from this ore that three-fourths of the iron is obtained in Eng- 

 land. It has been met with at Darjeling, and several other places 

 in India, but from the want of fuel and flax to reduce it, we do 

 not think it has ever been made use of. If however we look 

 at the mineral resources of this country, what are they at the present 

 moment ? nothing to what they ought ; a spirit of inquiry is now hap- 

 pily gaining ground ; sanctioned by Government a coal committee 

 has been appointed. To its proceedings therefore we look forward 



