1849.] Trip to Pind JDadud Khan mid the Salt Range. 691 



and covered with loose stones rolled from the heights above. Towards 

 Dwoda, the range of hills increases in height, and here and there to- 

 wards their base, the salt marl makes its appearance. Aronnd Dwoda, 

 which is but a small village, the water is salt, the supply of drinking 

 water being obtained 2 kos distant in the hills, from a small spring 

 which issues from the limestone strata, — all that flows from the strata 

 inferior to these being charged with salt. 



Rock salt occurs here, but is not at present excavated except surrep- 

 titiously, by the villagers around, who are generally a lawless set of 

 Pathans. 



Towards the foot of the hills in this and last march several fields of 

 perennial cotton were seen, the plants being very green, but small. 



April 23rd. — Dwoda to Vurcha, 8 kos. — From Dwoda came on to 

 Vurcha — a small place situated at the foot of the hills. It is very 

 ill supplied with water, which is found about a kos distant in a small 

 stream which issues from the limestone strata above the salt marl, and 

 is the only source of fresh water near — any which issues from the hills at 

 a lower level being quite salt. The benefit of a small tank in which 

 the fresh water might accumulate here would be immense ; and as good 

 materials for its construction are at hand, its expense would not be 

 very great. At Vurcha there is a salt mine superintended by a Mun- 

 shi of Misser Bulla Ram. 



April 24th. — Vurcha to Khond, 12 kos. — Marched to Khond, over a 

 most execrable road covered with loose round stones, which have rolled 

 down from the hills above. Passed the villages of Chooah, Dokh, 

 Jubbee and Chunkie. At the former place there is a small kutcha 

 tank made for the use of villagers, most of whom are employed exca- 

 vating salt, which is found in the red marl above the village. At Khond 

 water is also very scarce, being as at Vurcha, only obtainable in small 

 quantity as it issues in a small stream from the limestone rocks. Wells 

 sunk at the foot of the hills afford only brackish water, quite unfit for 

 use. 



April 25th. — Khond to Naree y 10 kos. — Came on to Naree. From 

 Khond the road leaves the hills and passes through a level cultivated 

 country, where water however is very scarce. At Naree, a jageer of 

 Shum Shere Sing's, there is a kutcha tank of water for the supply of 

 the villagers. The water is brought by a conduit from Kutta, about 



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