Notes on Geology and Mineralogy of Affghanistan. 599 



undoubtedly rich, yet I do not think they could be work- 

 ed to any advantage except perhaps for home consumption 

 in towns in the immediate vicinity of the mines; certain it 

 is that the metal would never equal in purity the European 

 article now imported, and for exportation it would never pay 

 the expences of working and of the long and dangerous 

 land-carriage likewise. 



\2. The blue and green carbonates of copper. Are found 

 in the Huzzarah mountains, and sparingly likewise in other 

 parts ; but they do not seem to be used by the natives. 



13. Red oxide of copper. Is also found in the Huzzarah 

 mountains. 



Gold. 



14. Gold, called Pillah. Is said to be procured in small 

 quantities from the sands of rivers, and is brought from 

 Sadmoneir and Bokhara, from a river called Ammoo. The 

 best sells at 17 and 18 Co.'s Rs. per tolah, and the impure 

 at 10 Rs. per tolah. It is also said to occur imbedded in 

 rocks in the Huzzarah mountains, but this is just as likely 

 to be iron pyrites or copper ore, as both were often brought 

 to me as gold. 



Antimony. 



15. Sulphuret of antimony. The mineral improperly 

 named " Soorma" by the natives both of India and AfF- 

 ghanistan, is a sulphuret of lead. Antimony is not used, but 

 occurs abundantly in some of the mountains to the north- 

 ward of Killa Abdoollah in Pisheen, from whence I pro- 

 cured specimens. It is accompanied by the oxide or white 

 antimony. 



Lead. 



16. Sulphuret of lead. A dark impure kind containing 

 iron is procured in abundance from Teereen ; it is used by 

 painters and potters, and sells in the raw state at 12 annas 

 per Tabreez maund, or three annas per Co.'s seer. It occurs 

 also in the Shah-muksood and Huzzarah mountains. 



