520 Report on the Salt Range, [Nov. 



color is generally supposed to be derived from organic matter, and is not 

 the result of the admixture of a minute portion of iron or manganeese 

 which the color might have led one to suppose. 



Chemical characters. — When submitted to a chemical examination, 

 all the three varieties of the salt are equally pure, and contain neither 

 sulphate of lime nor chloride of magnesium, the common impurities of 

 the mineral. In consequence of the absence of the latter, it is very 

 slightly deliquescent, an advantage which it possesses over common 

 bay salt, which if exposed to a moist atmosphere, rapidly attracts water. 



What the thickness of the deposits of salt may be it is impossible to 

 ascertain, but certainly that of the principal bed, in which the chamber 

 is excavated, cannot be less than 150 or 200 feet. It does not seem to 

 occur in regular strata, but rather in masses of irregular thickness, in 

 which a stratified structure is observable, the general dip being to the 

 N. at an angle of from 30° to 40°. These masses are separated from 

 each other by portions of marl, including beds of gypsum, and are seen 

 all along the sides of the passage, where they are occasionally worked. 

 By the passing and repassing of the miners, portions of gypsum and 

 salt have become highly polished in some places, and in the floor of the 

 passage, where very imperfect steps exist, are extremely slippery. 



Great annoyance is experienced particularly during the rains when all 

 mining operations are suspended, from the falling in of the roof and 

 sides of the various workings, which might in a great degree be pre- 

 vented and many lives saved, if proper means were adopted to support 

 the marl and soft rock, as the salt is removed from beneath. At 

 present this is done in a most careless manner, and hence the frequency 

 of accidents to the unfortunate miners, whose life is one of ill-remu- 

 nerated labour. 



According to the Superintendent of the salt mines, from 48 to 50,000 

 maunds are annually obtained from the mines around Keurah, the one 

 just noticed yielding alone about 15,000 maunds. 



Sugoowalla mine.— This mine yields a very large quantity of salt of 

 the best quality, and is very easily worked. The entrance to it, is about 

 ■| a mile to the E. of the Keurah one, and on a much higher level. 

 From the surface, one descends the passage by a series of imperfect 

 steps cut out of the marl, in which beds of salt occur close to the mouth 

 of the shaft. 



