1849.] Kohistan of the Jullundhur. 379 



Nilgiris. I have seen it however at the height of 4000 feet above the 

 sea, among the ranges on the elevated table-lands. It is most abundant 

 in districts penetrated and shattered by basaltic dykes, and where metal- 

 lic developement is greatest, for instance in the copper district of Nellore 

 and the chrome and iron tracts of Salem. It is perhaps least seen in 

 localities where laterite caps hypogene or plutonic rocks." Thus it appears 

 by no means certain or even probable that each bed was formed at the 

 locality in which it is now found, and I believe I am right in saying that 

 a substance analogous to kunkur is now being formed only in the Hima- 

 laya. In the Kangra district rounded lumps may be seen scattered 

 about the surface on the table-lands, and hill-sides, as well as in all the 

 ravines, in the same manner as boulders. As there seems no doubt of the 

 bursting of lakes in former times, one would suppose that great quanti- 

 ties of that kind of calcareous matter must have been swept into the 

 plains, and thus extensive beds might have been formed adjacent to the 

 hills. 



30. The road leading over the Chow-mukhi ghat is very steep and 

 bad. The fort of the same name is a mile to the south-eastward and 

 somewhat higher. About half a mile beyond this again, and on the 

 opposite side of a gap in the ridge, is the Sola Singha fort perched on 

 the highest peak. The positions of these two forts are very strong, 

 being defended by precipices on three sides, and a sharp rocky ridge on 

 the other, on which it would be difficult to effect a lodgment, but these 

 natural advantages are more than counterbalanced by the absence oi 

 water, to obtain which the garrison would have to proceed beyond the 

 protection of their guns. The range on which these forts stand is in 

 parts densely wooded with bamboo jungle. I obtained the following 

 bearings from the summit near the Chow-mukhi : — 



Forts Joalo-mukhi and Nadoun, Due north. 



The forts of Kotlehr, Due south. 



Ditto of Kumleh-gurh, N. E. by E. 



Beas visible below Nadoun, N. N. W. 



The range runs N. W. and S. E. 



The views on all sides are both extensive and beautiful. Doongla or 

 Toongla, is about 6 miles from the last halting place. It is a small vil- 

 lage prettily situated in the Kotlehr Dhoon. On the slope of the 

 Chow-mukhi range immediately in its rear is a thick bamboo jungle in 



