•200 Report on the Geology, Zoology, $c. [No. 135. 



Koura Mine. — Further to the westward is the largest mine ; viz. that 

 of Koura, so named from a village of that name ; it is four coss from 

 Pind Dadur Khan, and the route to it is similar to that which leads to 

 the other mines, up the bed of a mountain torrent, containing but 

 little water, its banks however were in many places covered with 

 efflorescence of salt, resembling much from its pure white color, snow 

 that had newly fallen. The village of Koura built on the acclivity of a 

 small hill is close to the mine, and contains about 250 inhabitants. 

 Here we were met by some of Raja Goolaub Singh's people. The 

 shaft is similar to those already described, but of a greater length, 

 being not less than 300 yards. On sinking it, much practical know- 

 ledge has been evinced ; thus, in the gallery we frequently pass beds of 

 ten and twelve feet in thickness, these, however, have been cut through, 

 and left untouched, and the shaft carried on to the great deposit ; but 

 how the individual who first opened the mine was led to conclude 

 that a large bed of salt existed beyond the smaller ones, (it being 

 so contrary to the native character to risk capital if a means of re- 

 paying him with interest, for that he has already laid out, is presented, 

 which undoubtedly the beds mentioned would have done ;) whether by 

 the out-cropping of the salt in another part of the hills, from mining 

 operations carried on in some other place, or from geological reason- 

 ing, we could not ascertain. Even as to the definite time when the 

 mines were opened, we could not get any information, further than 

 that it was during the time of the emperors. On entering the mine all 

 the natives took off their shoes, and proceeded barefooted. After we had 

 gone down the gently inclined plane some two hundred yards, the air 

 became very oppressive ; to descend into the great cavities we found a 

 similar arrangement of steps cut in the solid rock salt, but the sight 

 presented here was truly magnificent, far surpassing any geological 

 exhibition that we had ever witnessed, and well repaid us for our suffo- 

 cating trip. By the innumerable lamps the mine was well lighted up, 

 which being reflected by the beautiful crystalline walls, formed a 

 splendid and brilliant hall of about three hundred feet in circum- 

 ference by fifty in height, contrasting well with a deep dark abyss, to the 

 end of which the eye could not penetrate, formed by an old abandoned 

 shaft which water had inundated. Adjoining to this, there are several 

 others in a similar state. The thickness of the principal bed could not 



