130 KRAFFT: EXOTIC BLOCKS OF MALLA JOHAR. 



to some of the famous red Hallstatt marbles from the Salzkammergut in 

 upper Austria and Styria. This facies differs widely from that of the 

 carnic beds in the main region of the triassic belt of the Central Hima- 

 layas. From the presence of the genus Jovites in the limestone block 

 found to the east of Talla Sangcha it results that the huge masses of 

 limestone between the Balchdhura and Kiogarh-Chaldu passes cannot 

 rest in a normal position on the flysch. Considering the great 

 thickness of the limestone cap, Diener is inclined to suppose that the 

 peak is composed of sediments belonging to very different geological 

 periods, as is the case in the range of Chirchun No. 1, the carnic stage 

 forming only part of the limestones. These stand in a similar struc- 

 tural relation to the flysch forming their base, as the limestones of 

 the Chirchun area do to the Spiti shales. 



During the months of July and August 1900 I spent six weeks in 

 this frontier district and found it to abound with exotic blocks, and 

 in a few of these I discovered numerous fossils, chiefly ammonites. 

 1 have also obtained geological observations important enough to allow 

 of an attempt to explain the origin of the blocks being made. The 

 conclusion at which I arrived, is that the exotic blocks were brought up 

 to the surface by violent volcanic outbursts, later disturbances having 

 thrust the whole into confusion. At the same time, however, it 

 became evident that nothing but a detailed examination of the whole 

 block-bearing area would lead to definite results. 



The area worked 1 out is situated at the head 



&%7fri%L of the Ki °g arh river > a tributar y of the Girthi 



river, which runs from east-south-east into the 

 Dhauli river, near Malari. To the north, east and south-east 

 the area is bordered by a high range, which forms two half circles, 

 connected by the Kiogarh high plateau. The range represents part 

 of the great watershed between the tributaries of the Sutlej and 

 the Ganges, and at the same time forms the boundary between British 

 territory and Hundes. « 



The northern semicircle opens towards the west near Talla 



1 See Geological Map, pi- 14. 

 ( 4 ) 



