1848.] Report of the Kohistan of the Jullundhur Doab. 283 



the mountains on the opposite side are both rugged and lofty, many of 

 the peaks reaching the highest altitudes. Moreover, even to the west- 

 ward of the Secunder range this alternation of hill and valley has been 

 in some places interrupted. Between Noorpoor and Juck-o-bur for 

 instance, is an irregular mass of hills, intersected by numerous narrow 

 and deep ravines. Such is the case also in the contiguous purgunnahs 

 of Muhulmooree and Kumleh-gurh, where the low rounded hills of the 

 former, rise up into bold peaks in the latter. But between the treeless 

 hills of Muhulmooree and the Secunder range, a wide valley, named the 

 Seel Khud, intervenes. This valley is some five or six miles in width : 

 and its direction is north and south. There is however, another one, 

 which requires particular notice. Before the Jaswan range reaches the 

 right bank of the Sutlej, it divides into two ridges, and encloses a 

 narrow valley, which is called the Kotlehr Dhoon. The eastern ridge 

 goes by either the name of the Sola-singha ke-dhar or the Chow- 

 mukhi ke-dhar, called after two forts on its summit. The western one 

 is called the Kotlehr ridge. I have thus given a short sketch of the 

 position of each of the valleys on the western side of the Secunder 

 range. A more detailed account would be foreign to the objects of 

 this report ; and, moreover, could not be made intelligible without the 

 aid of a map. It is almost needless for me to add that this part of the 

 country has not yet been surveyed. 



5. European geologists have three principal tests by which they 

 determine the relative ages of any set of strata found in a country ; viz., 

 first, mineral character ; secondly, superposition ; thirdly, organic re- 

 mains. There is also a fourth proof of which they occasionally avail 

 themselves, namely, the fact of any deposit containing the fragments of 

 some pre-existing rocks. As I have not been successful in obtaining 

 any organic remains, I have always endeavoured, whilst prosecuting ray 

 inquiries, to be guided by one or more of the remaining tests. 



6. The two outer ranges, viz : the Hoshyarpoor and the Jaswan, 

 are composed of strata of sand, sandstone and gravel, intermixed with 

 variable proportions of clay, mica, and calcareous particles. These 

 belong to the tertiary period, and I think, will be found contemporane- 

 ous with those of the Siwalik or sub-Himalayaan range, which ha9 

 been traced from the foot of the Sikim hills in latitude 26J°, and 

 longitude 88£° to Roopur, and now, should I be correct, as far as 



2 o 2 



