1848.] and on its Coal and other Minerals. 521 



In the interior of the mine, enormous masses of the mineral are to be 

 seen, which have become detached from the roof and sides, and under 

 which the various passages lead to an immense distance in the interior 

 of the hills. 



The temperature of this mine was much lower than that of Keurah, 

 but having accidentally broken our thermometer we were unable to make 

 any accurate observations. The amount of moisture which exists, and 

 which is seen trickling in a small stream down the steps in the passage, 

 may possibly be the cause of the comparative coolness of the mine, the 

 roof of which was in several places covered with stalactites of salt 

 upwards of a foot in length. 



We were warned against entering this mine, which is considered 

 unsafe, its roof and sides being rent and cracked in all directions. How- 

 ever any risk run was well repaid by the magnificent spectacle which 

 the resplendent walls of salt afforded, dimly illumined by the twinkling 

 lights of the miners. 



Surdi Salt mines. — The salt mines of Surdi, about 10 miles to the 

 W. of Pind Dadun Khan, have been more recently opened than those 

 around Keurah, and appear to be constructed on a better plan, good 

 flights of steps being cut out of the salt, which occurs in quantity close 

 to the surface, and the roof of the passages well supported by strong 

 beams of wood. The salt is of excellent quality, and remarkably com- 

 pact. As it is raised from the mine it is conveyed on camels to a depot 

 about 2 miles from Kuhar, on the road to Kutass, none of it being 

 sent to Pind Dadun Khan, but yielding a supply to Cashmir, and the 

 districts to the N. of the salt range. 



Kalibag Salt. — The salt is worked on both sides of the Indus above 

 Kalibag, which village is built on the side of a hill of red marl, which 

 extends along the N. bank of the river about a mile, and in which a 

 vast deposit of rock salt exists. 



The mineral is very near the surface, frequently cropping out and 

 behind the terraced houses of Kalibag, forming a wall which overhangs 

 the village. It is chiefly worked in the bed of a nullah called the 

 Loon, a name derived no doubt from the character of its water, and 

 which enters the Indus on its north bank opposite the village of Maree, 

 where a large quantity of salt is also obtained. 



No shafts are sunk in the marl as at other places, the rock salt hav- 



