2 GENERAL OBSERVATIONS ON THE 



In the field of Geology, indeed, some steady progress has been made, 

 which the superintending care of the lamented Voysey promised to ripen 

 into a rich harvest : fatally, however, for science, this ardent philosophic 

 inquirer was a martyr in the cause to which he was devoted. His loss 

 can only be duly appreciated by those who are aware of the great local 

 knowledge and experience which he possessed, added to his general scien- 

 tific acquirements, which so peculiarly qualified him for the task he had 

 undertalven. The labors of Dr. Voysey (which, had life been spared to 

 him, a short period of time would have matured,) are not altogether lost. 

 Some of his journals are in the possession of those who know how to 

 estimate their value, and who, it is hoped, will be enabled to present the 

 matter they contain to the public in as perfect a form as the incom- 

 plete state of the materials will permit. Availing ourselves partly of these 

 materials, and of the scanty notices already in print, and the communica- 

 tions of the few valuable explorers now zealously engaged in scientific 

 research, a few remarks may here be offered, by way of conveying some 

 general view of the little Ave can yet pretend to know of the geological 

 outlines of the vast field in the centre of which we are placed. 



Casting our eye over the map of India, v^^e are struck with the grand 

 and extensive mountain ranges which form the principal boundaries. On 

 the north we have the stupendous chain of the Himalaija, extending 

 from the confines of China to Cashmir, and the basin of the Oxiis; that 

 vast accumulation of sublime peaks — ^the pinnacles of our globe^ — ^is so 

 extensive, that a plane, resting on elevations of 21,000 feet, maybe stretch- 

 ed in one direction as far as the Hindu Coh, for upwards of 1000 miles, 

 above which rise loftier summits, increasing in height to nearly 6000 fe%t 

 more. Primitive rocks alone have been found to compose all that has 

 yet been explored of the elevated portion of that chain; gneiss being, 

 according to Captain Herbert, the predominating rock, along with granite, 



mica-sliist 



