1844.] Examination of a remarkable Red Sandstone. 339 



nests, and chert, (hydrate of silica,) in veins and spots. It is slightly 

 impregnated with peaty matter, and its smell is probably owing to this 

 and to the minute proportion of sulphur which peat contains, and which 

 in the specimen just discolours silver foil in the neck of the bulb tube. 



H. Piddington. 



Report of a Journey from Herat to Simla, via Candahar, Cabool and 

 the Punjaub, undertaken in the year 1838, by order of His Excel- 

 lency John McNeill, Esq. H. B. M. Envoy Extraordinary and 

 Minister Plenipotentiary at the Court of Persia. By Major Todd, 

 Acting Secretary of Legation. 



The circumstances under which this journey was undertaken, the 

 short time (sixty days) which it occupied, and the disturbed state of 

 some of the districts on my route, prevented my taking more than a 

 hasty survey of the countries through which I passed, or obtaining any 

 information beyond what chance threw in my way. 



The following rough notes were mostly jotted down either on horse- 

 back, or after being in the saddle from twelve to fifteen hours out of 

 the twenty-four. 



I left the Persian camp before Herat, on the 22nd May, and arriv- 

 ed at Simla on the 20th of July. 



The city and valley of Herat have been minutely described by suc- 

 cessive travellers. It may, however, be required, that I should say a 

 few words on the defences of a place which, garrisoned by a small 

 band of determined men, had up to the date of our latest authentic in- 

 telligence, successfully resisted the whole concentrated power of Persia 

 for upwards of seven months. 



The strength of the besieging army may be estimated at from 12 to 

 15,000 regular infantry, 7 <> r 8,000 irregular horse, and about 50 

 pieces of brass ordnance, 24, 18, 14, 12, 6 and 4-pounders, about half 

 being of the two last mentioned calibres, with half a dozen 5|-inch 

 mortars. I do not think that the besieged mustered more than 2,500 

 fighting men, actually under arms. They had no artillery, and their 

 horsemen had been sent away to Korook, Subzavvaur, and other places 

 soon after the commencement of the siege. 



