1848.] Metalliferous deposits in the Sub -Himalayas. 137 



it should be found impracticable, is not absolutely necessary for the ulti- 

 mate success of the enterprise, as the Chinese caravan would be found 

 at Bhanmoo. To go up the Irawady to Ava, has been always permitted 

 to Europeans, and the time for doing this is favourable now, because 

 the present Court of Ava, since the dethronement of Tharawady, appears 

 to be more friendly towards us. At Ava it would be of the greatest ad- 

 vantage to secure the good will of the Chinese merchants there, since 

 their jealousy would occasion the greatest difficulties, and because only 

 under their protection it would be possible to enter Yun-nan. Besides 

 the great object is to induce them to come over to Silhet, for they 

 would soon calculate what profit a trade with Calcutta offers them ; 

 more would come the next year, and thus a regular caravan trade to 

 Silhet might become established. For this purpose our travellers should 

 be provided with a sufficient supply of articles for trade, the profit from 

 the first sale of which might cover to some extent the expenses of the 

 whole enterprise, which therefore would amount to nothing more than 

 the remuneration due to our travellers, and this cannot be thought much, 

 in comparison to the great and important object which may be obtained. 

 London, September, 1847. 



A few observations on the probable results of a Scientific research 

 after Metalliferous deposits in the Sub-Himalayan range around 

 Darjeeling. — By R. H. Irvine, Esq. M. D. 



The whole of that portion of the Sub-Himalayan range amidst which 

 Darjeeling is situated, as well as neighboring portions explored, exhibit 

 the greatest similarity of aspect, the ridges being exceedingly steep, 

 and rising from their bases at an acute angle ; the main formation being 

 primitive, the matter gneiss rock, displaced and disintegrated, and in 

 most places not perpendicular, covered with a more or less deep 

 deposit of alluvial soil, varying from a light yellow, to a stiff black 

 loam, over which surface the main rock frequently crops out, and 

 amidst which occasional deep beds of very stiff blue clay are found, 

 such as underlies the London basin, and which so frequently appears 

 at low water, amidst the sands on the coast of Kent. In the blue clay 

 of this region, however, marine shells have not yet been discovered. 



T 



