i 

 1849.] Trip to Pind Dadud Khan and the Salt Range. 669 



does not however appear of so good a quality, but from its position in 

 the heart of the hills, where no beast of burden could at present reach 

 it, can never be worked to advantage. In relation to it I met with the 

 same limestone as at Keurah, and obtained several fossils in addition to 

 those I got at the latter place, among which was an Echinus, and a spe- 

 cies of coral, besides several species of shells. Above the coal shales is 

 a succession of calcareous sandstones, generally of light red color, and 

 resting on these is a bold escarpment of a limestone rock, apparently 

 siliceous and containing large numbers of flints such as are found in the 

 English chalk formation. From the strata below this the water that 

 issues is perfect brine, while from the limestone the water flows sweet 

 and good, and is most refreshing to any one who attempts to climb such 

 hills. I reached the top of the range at the fort of Dundhote about 3 

 p. m., and was quite taken by surprise by finding on the gentle north- 

 ern slope of the limestone strata, which we are inclined to identify with 

 the chalk formation, a beautiful garden in the midst of a comparative 

 desert — crops of wheat, barley, &c. being in full growth on the soil 

 formed by the decomposition of the limestone. This fort seems to be 

 placed on one of the highest points of the range, and commands a most 

 extensive view. It is said to be within 4 miles of Kutas, and from it 

 Choe, a fortress in the hills, is well seen. After resting a little, began 

 the descent of the hills, which from the rough road was almost as diffi- 

 cult as the ascent, and reached my tents at Pind Dadud Khan about 

 dark, pretty well knocked up with my day's work, which however well 

 repaid me for the labour of the ascent. 



March 24th. — Pind Dadud Khan. — Received visits from Missers 

 Gyan Chund and Rulla Ram, and dispatched diary to Lahore. Again 

 visited the Mint to witness the process employed for the revival of the 

 lead, copper and small portion of silver absorbed by the cupel alluded 

 to in diary of 22nd, but which presented nothing uncommon ; a mix- 

 ture of Sujee (Carbonate of Soda), and Borax being used to reduce the 

 oxidized metals to a metallic state. Sujee, a coarse Carbonate of Soda, is 

 manufactured near this in quantity by burning a Chenopodeaceous 

 plant, probably allied to Salsola, from the ashes of which it is ob- 

 tained. This occurs in great quantity wherever the soil is impregnated 

 with salt, as is the case in the plains at the foot of the salt range. 



March 25th. — Pind Dadud Khan, to Ruttipind. — Visited the vil- 



