of the Punjaub and part of Afghanistan. 225 



Plutonian Rocks. — It is a remarkable fact, regarding the geological 

 structure of this country, that though we meet every where, with the 

 evidence of plutonian action in the disturbed, upraised, and altered state 

 of the neptunian strata, there is only one locality where a plutonian rock 

 is exposed ; viz. at Attock. But probably the elevation of this range of 

 mountains is connected with the great chain of the Hindoo Koosh. If 

 so, it shews, that that system of mountains is as new as the saliferous 

 series, and this is supported by the observations of Dr. Lord, who in 

 company with Lieutenant Wood, ascended one of the highest Passes of 

 that range.* That, however, plutonian action existed prior to the deposi- 

 tion of these strata, we are entitled to infer from the number and size of 

 boulders, which are found imbedded in the sandstone strata, forming the 

 banks of the river Indus, so that though the Hindoo Koosh, (which is a 

 mere extension of the Himalayas, seeing that according to Humboldt 

 they can be traced onwards to the volcanic Island of Formosa,) existed 

 in the form of mountains ; the position which it now presents was not 

 attained till after the deposition of the saliferous series, and probably 

 not till a later geological period, as we shall no doubt find many of the 

 strata, which occur at the foot of the Himalayas, or among them, be- 

 longing to a much newer system ; but to speak definitely, requires much 

 further investigation, and at present we only can assert, that that range 

 of mountains is newer than the saliferous series. Having now brought 

 the first part of our report to a conclusion, it only remains for us to 

 notice those individuals who assisted us in carrying on our investigation, 

 to whom we are under great obligations. To Mr. G. Clerk, Governor 

 General's Agent, we beg to return our best thanks. To him we are 

 indebted for every thing. Through his interest and representation we 

 received a most welcome reception at the court of Lahore, and means 

 were put at our command of traversing the whole of his Highness Maha- 

 raja Shere Singh's dominions without molestation ; and we cannot here 

 pass unnoticed, the friendly reception that we every where met with in 

 the Punjaub. When thrown into difficulties at Cohat, where I was 

 obliged for sometime to take refuge in the fort of Sirdar Kadir Khan, 

 Mr. Clerk again came forward with his assistance, and procured for me 

 an escort of horse from his Highness the Maharaja. 



* McClelland's Calcutta Journal of Natural History, No. 4, in which a notice of 

 Lord's Geological Observations has been given. 



