1849,] Trip to Pind Dadud Khan and the Salt Range, 679 



N. of Kuhar, beneath which are a succession of conglomerates of a 

 calcareous character, interlaminated with a limestone much resembling 

 that of Kuringuli where the Surma occurs. Beneath these strata and 

 as one approaches the highest ridge of the range at Surdi, the flint 

 limestone crops out and forms the top of its bold southern escarpment, 

 being deposited in a stratum at least 200 ft. thick, on the northern 

 slope of which is a very richly cultivated valley stretching E. and W. 

 On descending from Surdi the same shell limestone and marl as is 

 found above the coal to the eastward was seen beneath the flint lime- 

 stone, but the position of the carboniferous strata was completely 

 obsured by the enormous masses of rock which have fallen from the 

 disintegrating limestone above, and which are accumulated between this 

 and the variegated sandstone strata beneath the coal-beds. We are 

 satisfied the same lignite bed occurs here as to the east, and if diligent 

 search were made in the neighbourhood I believe it would be found, 

 although we were unsuccessful, being unable on account of the intense 

 heat to search at various points as we could have wished. 



The salt mines of Surdi, three of which I visited, have been more 

 recently opened than those to the east, and appear to be constructed 

 on a better plan ; good flights of steps being cut out of the salt to faci- 

 litate the ascent and descent of the mine, and the roof of the passages 

 being well supported by cross beams of wood. The salt appears of 

 excellent quality, close to the surface and remarkably compact. These 

 mines are under the management of Peer Mohumodeen, who stated 

 that 40,000 maunds of salt were annually extracted from the mines at 

 this place, and which is sent chiefly to Kashmir and the north.* The 

 salt as it is raised from the mine is conveyed on camels to a depot about 

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

 south side of the range. 



April 5th. — Kuhar to Noorpoor Suhutta, 9 kos. — From Kuhar came 

 on this morning to Noorpoor Suhutta. The road skirts along the foot 

 of the flinty limestone hills and through valleys generally well culti- 

 vated, but which seem to be but scantily supplied with water. Noor- 

 poor is nearly S. W. from Kuhar, and situated more on the ridge of 

 the range than the latter place. Around it there is rich cultivation, 



* We are inclined to doubt the accuracy of the amount of salt excavated here as 

 stated above. 



