288 Report on the Geological Structure of the Salt Range. [No 3. 



with a low bush jungle, formed in great part of Dodonaea Burman- 

 niana (Sunhetta) and Adhatoda vassica (Behikkur). These two 

 shrubs, but particularly the former, may be considered as peculiarly 

 characteristic of the central district, their fibrous roots penetrating 

 deeply into the soil between the rents and fissures which every where 

 traverse the limestone strata. Mixed with these may be observed 

 the Phulahee and the Kow — a species of Olea* famous for its long 

 and straight sticks which make excellent hammer or hatchet handles. 



After rain a good deal of grass springs up, forming tufts along the 

 fissures in the limestone ; and a by no means inconsiderable number 

 of the smaller flowering plants may also be collected during the 

 months of March, April and May. 



The northern district of the Range is formed of a succession of 

 ridges of soft sandstones and clays separated by deep ravines. These 

 present an escarpment to the south and dip to the north at a high 

 angle under the plain of Potowar, the general name for the country 

 north of the Salt Range, and which in its neighbourhood does not 

 probably exceed 1,000 feet above the level of the sea. They are of 

 small breadth in its eastern and central part, but towards the Indus 

 expand into barren hills that extend from Marie to Mokhudd ; a 

 distance of fully 16 miles. 



This district presents scarcely any cultivation, and its natural 

 vegetation is much the same as that of the central district, though 

 less abundant. The Grislea tomentosa (Tawa) is the only shrub we 

 have observed to be confined to the soft sandstone ridges. 



In the Salt Eange all goods, &c. must be conveyed on camels, 

 mules, or bullocks; paths passable for loaded camels cross it at 

 Dundhote, Mukrach, Lurdi, Nurpur, Kuttha and Nummul. The 

 best of these are the Dundhote, Kuttha and Nummul ones. The 

 traffic over them is, however, small, and chiefly confined to salt. 

 The grain grown in the Salt Eange is, we believe, not more than 

 sufficient to supply the wants of its population, which is chiefly 

 Mahomedan. 



* Probably O. europsea. 



