1843.] of the Punjaub and part of Afghanistan, 197 



All the rocks, with the exception of the conglomerate mentioned, are 

 highly inclined, the angle varying from 35° to 60° ; there is no uniform 

 direction, as they dip N. E. and W. ; nor is there any plutonian rock 

 seen to account for this extraordinary arrangement. 



Gypsum — Economical Uses. — The gypsum occurs imbedded in the 

 red and green marls, its color being either white, rose or brick red; 

 from this place to the river, which is only distant half coss, masses 

 of any size might be carried, and it is found here equal to the finest 

 gypseous alabaster of the European continent ; it is of this substance 

 that the beautiful groups of small white figures and vases imported 

 from Italy are made. The celebrated plaster of Paris is procured by 

 exposing this rock to heat, which deprives it of its water of crystalliza- 

 tion, it then falls to the state of a white powder, which has a strong 

 affinity for water. Captain Franklin speaking about this rock, as found 

 among the Himalayas, says, " It is probable that its chief use in Bengal 

 for some time, would be as convertible into plaster of Paris, and afford- 

 ing a material for cornices and ornamental work, to the banishment of 

 the very rude productions of this kind that we have hitherto put up 

 with." There is perhaps a sufficient quantity of it to answer any demand 

 likely immediately to arise. When the Government House was last re- 

 paired, it was considered desirable to obtain a sufficiency for the pur- 

 pose above-mentioned ; but the fact of its occurrence within our own 

 mountain provinces was not known at that time ; as it is within fifty or 

 sixty miles of water carriage, it might be expected to pay for its transport. 

 In addition to its value in the arts, it forms an excellent manure, and 

 could be applied with great advantage to many of the soils in the Punjab. 

 To the native its uses are quite unknown ; but when it is appreciated, 

 or rather when the country falls into the hands of a Government which 

 knows its value, we may venture to predict, from its occurring in such 

 vast quantity close to the banks of the river, that it will form a valu- 

 able article of exportation to Bombay, &c. or even now, as by the 

 excellent arrangements made with the Lahore Government by Mr. 

 Clerk, it is not liable to duty. To the Bombay Government therefore 

 the gypsum is well worthy of attention, seeing that it might be most 

 advantageously used in the public buildings, in making the ornamental 

 works, and for many other purposes ; and it would, as Captain Franklin 

 remarks, afford the proper material for making cornices to the exclu- 



