Notes on Geology and Mineralogy of Affghanistan. 563 



were strewed over the sandy plains, even several miles from 

 the river, a fact which, added to the circumstance of the huts 

 in some parts being built on supports or stilts, bears ample 

 testimony to the extensive floodings which annually occur. 



The whole tract of country from Ferozepore to Roree, is 

 strictly alluvial, iron sand being in some places plentifully 

 intermixed in the sands along the river's edge ; but at Roree 

 a low ridge of nummulitic limestone crosses the Indus. On 

 the left bank, the town of Roree stands upon this formation ; 

 the fort of Bukkur, in the middle of the stream, is likewise 

 built upon it, and it then extends some distance across the 

 country on the Sukkur side, or right bank. 



The rock is chiefly of a pale sandy hue, often approaching 

 to white, and sometimes exhibiting a few scattered nummu- 

 lites, though at Sukkur it appeared to be without them. 



The strata are thin and numerous, sometimes much 

 indurated, always compact, and alternating with layers of 

 flint, nodules of which are likewise frequently imbedded. 

 I had no opportunity of examining these strata at Roree, but 

 I possess some specimens of Conus, Clypeus and other shells, 

 which were found there imbedded in chalky strata; from 

 Bukkur also I possess a flint bearing on it the cast of a 

 Patella, which was kindly presented to me by Colonel 

 Stacy. 



The dip of the strata in that portion which I had an 

 opportunity of inspecting is slight, and towards the north- 

 east. 



Farther research in that locality by those who may now 

 be occasionally stationed at Sukkur, would no doubt bring 

 to light many interesting fossils from this formation, which 

 is a member of the cretaceous system, well known in Europe 

 to abound in marine organic remains ; but at the time when 

 I visited Sukkur in 1841, I had no opportunity, from want 

 of time and from sickness, of doing more than noting the 

 few facts here recorded. 



4 D 



