1843.] Memoir on Indian Earthquakes. 1039 



servation, while it may with considerable confidence be inferred, that 

 in the unexplored intermediate portions, they would also be discovered.* 



A disposition exists to attribute these springs to mere local chemical 

 action, but their universal distribution over so wide a range, taken in 

 connection with the fact, that from this range Earthquakes, sometimes 

 of great violence, are repeatedly emanating, has led me to believe that 

 the two classes of phenomena are intimately connected : in other words, 

 that they are joint effects of the same cause. The hot springs I be- 

 lieve, owe their high temperature to internal chemical action exten- 

 sively distributed, and the Earthquakes are due to the convulsive efforts 

 of the elastic matter generated by this action, in escaping from the 

 interior of the earth. To attempt to define the nature of this action, 

 while we are wholly ignorant of the chemical composition of the 

 springs would be vain ; but I cannot resist the conviction, that the pre- 

 sence of these hot springs and the occurrence of Earthquake shocks 

 are due to one and the same origin. It was, at one time, supposed, 

 that an active volcanic vent had been discovered in the central Hima- 

 layan range, but this is now known to have been erroneous, and the 

 only proofs of volcanic action, consist in the occurrence of Earthquakes, 

 the abundant distribution of springs of high temperature, the presence 

 of Trap Dykes, and indications of powerful disruptive action in the 

 strata. 



2. Earthquakes of the Lateral Himalayan Tract. 



Under this Tract are included the Earthquakes that have been 

 felt throughout the valleys along the Southern Face of the Himalayan 

 range, situated at heights varying from 6,000 to 2,000 feet above the 

 level of the sea. It is proposed to commence with the most Westerly 

 of these, relative to which any authentic information has as yet been 

 obtained, namely that of Cabool ; and having narrated the history of the 

 Earthquakes of that valley, to proceed in a regular manner to the 

 Eastward. Earthquakes of considerable severity have, I believe, been 



* The following extract from a letter from A. Campbell, Esq., Political Superin- 

 tendent of Darjeeling, furnishes some notices of hot and mineral springs in the extreme 

 Eastern portion of the Himalayas. 



"3rd Hot and mineral springs. — On the west bank of the Mechi River within the 

 hills, at about six miles above Mechi Gola, there is a mineral spring which runs into 

 the Mechi. 1 have visited it. The water is quite clear as it issues from the rock, but 

 on the small flat space below there is a reddish deposit, carbonate of iron, I believe. 

 This water has medical virtues ascribed to it. It is heated and used as a bath for 

 rheumatism, cutaneous diseases, &c. Iron ore abounds in the neighbourhood of 

 this spring. It is called " Menchoo" by the Lepchas, which means "medicated 

 water." 



" There is a hot spring on the east bank of the great Runjeet River, one day's journey 

 from the monastery of Pemlong. It is called " Puklong Sachoo" (Sachoo means hot 

 spring.) The water has a disagreeable smell, and deposits a whitish substance which 

 is used in medicine. 



" There is another hot spring called " Phoog Sachoo," also on the east bank of the 

 great Runjeet, one day's journey to the East of Rinchungpoong. its deposit is also 

 whitish and its water fetid. I have not visited the two latter nor do 1 know how far 

 they are apart. They are both in Sikkim, and about three days journey from Dar- 

 jeeling." 



Dated October 7th, 1842. 



