GEOLOGICAL SURVEY OF INDIA. 253 



to the same horizon as that of the Salt range proper, alum also 

 occurs and is manufactured from the pyritous shales of the Jurassic 

 and eocene formations, but the industry seems to have greatly 

 fallen off. 



During 1879 Mr. Lydekker explored a large area of Ladak to the 

 east of his previous observations and determined several points 

 of interest, while Mr. Griesbach accomplished a very successful 

 season's work in the higher Himalaya of Kumaun and Hundes, 

 and despite the severity of the climate prevailing at this altitude 

 succeeded in mapping the snowy range between the Niti and Milam 



The Records for 1879 contained 22 papers of various interest 

 with 11 maps and plates, two being articles by contributors 

 not attached to the survey ; that on Hangrang and Spiti by Colonel 

 McMahon, and that on the old mines at Joga on the Narbada by 

 Mr. G. T. Nicholls of the Civil Service. Four parts of the " Pateon- 

 tologia Indica " were issued during 1879, one by Dr. Feistmantel on 

 the flora of the Gondwana outliers on the Madras coast, and another 

 by the same author on the flora of the Talckir-Karharbari beds, 

 one by Mr. Lydekker on the Reptilia and Batrachia of Indian 

 pretertiary formations, and the first part of the Salt range fossils 

 by Dr. Waagen. 



Mr. Richard D. Oldham, the son of the founder and successful 

 director of the survey, was appointed by the Secretary of State as 

 an assistant in the survey, and took up duty with Mr. King in the 

 Godavari valley. The two native apprentices, Kishen Singh and 

 Hira Lai, having served their five years of probation with sufficient 

 credit and having acquired a serviceable knowledge of rocks and 

 minerals, received, on the recommendation of Mr. Medlicott, 

 permanent promotion as sub-assistants. 



In 1880 Mr. C. L. Griesbach was sent to the Bolan pass and 

 Southern Afghanistan to report on the gold near Kandahar and the 

 petroleum, traces near Sibi. The first task was, however, much 

 impeded (though eventually accomplished) by Ayub Khan's revolt, 

 and Mr. Griesbach had to perform military duties for a time, after 

 which the rising of the Marris prevented his visiting the petroleum 

 locality at all, lying as it does 40 miles east of Sibi. 



Mr. Griesbach is certain that the hills between the Indus plain 

 and the Quetta valley are simply a continuation of the Kirthar 

 range, already described by Mr. Blanford in his geology of 

 "Western Sind, while the range of hills which in turn bears the 



