600 Notes on Geology and Mineralogy of Afghanistan. 



Pure galena, in large cubes, is found in the same locali- 

 ties, and usually sells in the raw state at \2 annas per seer; 

 when cleared and reduced to powder it forms the so-called 

 " Soorma," or antimony of Afghanistan and India, and sells 

 at from 5 to 6 rupees per seer. 



Granular galena. Is also found in Teereen. The common 

 lead of commerce is called " Soorb," and is brought from 

 Teereen and the Huzzarah country ; it is made at the mines, 

 and the dealers sell it in Candahar at 6 to 7 annas per seer, 

 and in the shops it is retailed at 11 to 12 annas per seer. 

 The duty is l-40th. 



17. Semi-vitrified oxide of lead, or litharge, is known as 

 Moordasung. It is imported from Hydrabad, Tatta, Herat, 

 and Koh-i-Pir-kisree in Gurmsael. It is manufactured from 

 the yellow oxide of lead, and sells in Candahar at 2 

 rupees per seer. It is much used in the Affghan materia 

 medica as a cure for cuts and sores, being applied in the 

 form of a burnt powder ; it is also used by painters. It is 

 also reduced to powder and mixed with lime, and applied 

 to the hair which it dyes black, but caution is necessary or 

 it may burn the hair off. 



18. Argentiferous galena. Occurs in the Huzzarah hills, 

 from whence it is exported to the Punjab. 



19. Silver, called Nookrah and Sufeid Tillah. Sells at 

 one Co.'s rupee for rather less than one tolah; it is extracted 

 from argentiferous galena, and is said likewise to occur 

 in veins in the Huzzarah hills. 



20. Quicksilver, is called Parah and Seem-ab. It is 

 brought from Muscat, and is said to occur also in Gurmsael 

 at Pir-kisree, where it is dug out of the ground. It consti- 

 tutes an article of materia medica, and sells at 2 to 3 rupees 



per tollah.* 



i 



* A report was spread by some of the Savans, who accompanied the Army, that 

 quicksilver was found in the Bolan Pass. This proved to be true, but it was the 

 quicksilver from a broken Barometer tube! 



