1853.] Report on the Geological Structure of the Salt Range. 265 



The compact flesh-coloured and nearly black varieties are perhaps 

 to be preferred, as weathering more uniformly than those which are 

 more crystalline. They take a fine polish, and may be obtained in 

 blocks of any size. Vurcha would be a covenient locality for obtaining 

 the flesh-coloured stone, while in the Nursing Wan near Kuttha, 

 the black variety could easily be procured. The flesh-coloured lime- 

 stone forms the gateway of the ancient fort of Kaffir Kote, where 

 it seems to have resisted the action of the atmosphere in a most 

 remarkable degree, the blocks being as fresh as the day they were 

 quarried. 



As a source of lime, all the limestones of this formation are very 

 valuable. The yellow argillaceous limestone mentioned as occurring 

 in the Bukhh Eavine, is, we believe, well adapted for lithographic 

 purposes, and shales of considerable size might with ease be ob- 

 tained. 



Petroleum, in the carboniferous formation, has been noticed only 

 in the Algud Eavine at Kaffir Kote, where it exudes in considerable 

 quantity from the upper brown bituminous sandstone, which is highly 

 charged with it ; where springs issue from the sandstone in the small 

 ravines which intersect its beds, large holes are dug which rapidly 

 fill with water mixed with Petroleum. This from its lighter specific 

 gravity rises to the surface and forms a scum, by passing bunches 

 of grass through which, the Petroleum or Salira as it is called, 

 adheres, and is removed into gurrahs or earthen vessels placed for 

 its reception. 



Notwithstanding its most offensive smell, it is burnt by the natives 

 in their lamps. It is also in great demand among the owners of 

 camels, who extol its virtues as an external application to sores and 

 the common cutaneous diseases to which that animal is subject. 



Sulphuretted hydrogen springs issue from the carboniferous lime- 

 stone in several localities. In the Bukhh Eavine one issuing from 

 the upper limestone indicated a temperature of 94° when the air 

 was 71° in the month of February. The water on escaping from 

 the rock, deposits sulphur, and gives a copious black precipitate with 

 a solution of acetate of lead. 



Fossils are very numerous throughout the formation. 



The lower beds abound in Brachiopodous molluscae, crinoideae, 



