DESCRIPTION OF SECTIONS. 22J 



nummulites. Moreover, this nummulitic limestone is itself succeeded 

 by beds which still contain a large proportion of volcanic material 

 showing that the volcanic activity had not ceased yet. The fossils 

 in this lowest nummulitic limestone consist of species of Nummulites 

 and Alveolina met with elsewhere in strata of the Ranikot age. 



As to the tall range whose highest peak bears the name of 

 Shekh Hosein, it also consists of nummulitic limestone, but the beds 

 here are crushed and disturbed to such an extent that their succession 

 could not be unravelled during the short time at my disposal. 



These unusually tall peaks favour atmospheric precipitation, 

 moisture collects upon the steep limestone slopes and even rain oc- 

 curs occasionally. These favourable conditions have given rise to a 

 perennial spring in the neighbourhood of which is a " ziarat" resorted 

 to by pilgrims who come even from great distances. The zi£rat is 

 consecrated to " Shekh Hosein, " a mythical saint round whom many 

 legends have gathered. The limestone cf the neighbouring hills has 

 a concretionary structure, causing it to weather out in large spherical 

 boulders. These are said to be the remains of an invading army of 

 Moguls who were sent to attack the saint. The " Shekh " turned 

 them all into stones and the boulders are the heads of the miscreants 

 that rolled down the valley. The valley is occupied by a perennial 

 stream which has allowed the creation of fields cultivated by the. 

 faqirs who take care of the " ziarat/'' 



The next pass leading across the ranges into the Kharan plain 

 Section along- the Ni- * s called tne " Nimik Pass." Just as in the 

 mik Pass. sections above described, near Tafui and Shekh 



Hosein, the north-western portion of the ranges consists of bedded 

 tuffs of the " flysch" period (see Fig. 18). It has been mentioned 

 that their importance gradually increases as we follow the strike of 

 the ranges in a south-west direction. Near the entrance to the Nimik 

 Pass they have spread out, forming several tall parallel ridges con- 

 spicuous for their rugged outline and black colour. The outermost 

 range is called " Laghar Hon." Eetween that mountain and the 

 next ranges to the south-east also consisting of bedded tuffs, there 

 E ( 49 ) 



