1848.] and on its Coal and other Minerals. 517 



different from those to the eastward, and from the careful examination 

 of which much geological and probably practically useful knowledge 

 may be obtained.* 



Iron Ore. — The frequent occurrence of the most valuable of the 

 British iron ores, known under the name of Black Band Ironstone, in the 

 true coal measures, induced us particularly to search for this mineral 

 and other iron ores, which might be found in relation with the carboni- 

 ferous deposit of the salt ranges, but we regret to record that we met 

 with but little success. Veins and nodules of haematite or red peroxide 

 of iron, are abundantly diffused through all the strata of these hills, but 

 the want of suitable fuel to reduce the ores to a metallic state, will, we 

 fear, prove an obstacle to its being turned to much account. At Kam- 

 goorum, 30 miles to the W. of Kalibag, iron is manufactured, probably 

 from this ore, wood charcoal being used for its reduction. It is brought 

 to Kalibag in the form of lumps of pig iron, which appear to be of infe- 

 rior quality. 



Petroleum. — This mineral is of frequent occurrence in the hills 

 around Kalibag, and is obtained in considerable quantity at Jabba, S. 

 of the Indus, and about 7 coss from Kalibag. It exudes from the 

 rocks and floats on the surface of water. It is known to the natives 

 under the name of Gunduk ka tel, who use it in place of oil in their 

 lamps. We had not time to visit the locality where it is found, but from 

 the enquiries made we are satisfied that it exudes from the neighbour- 

 hood of bituminous alum shales, and is probably one of the results of 

 their destructive distillation, when undergoing the process of spontane- 

 ous combustion. The petroleum is of the consistence of tar, has a dark 

 brown color, most penetrating smell, and burns with a yellow smoky 

 flame. Its medicinal properties do not seem to be known to the natives, 

 who use it only as a source of light. 



Sulphur. — Associated with the petroleum, sulphur is also found in 

 small quantity, and its origin is probably identical with the former. 



Lead Ore. — The only other mineral which we shall notice is the 

 galena ore or sulphuret of lead. This occurs in grains or small cubical 



* We regret extremely our not being able to append a series of analysis of 

 the coals from the different localities mentioned in the preceding pages, in conse- 

 quence of the loss of the greater part of a small stock of chemical apparatus which 

 we possessed, and which for a time we will be unable to replace. 



3 y 2 



