PRODUCTIONS OF THE HIMALAYA. 



229 



1 . — Sulphur. 



This substance appears to deserve the first notice, if it be only for its 

 value as an ingredient in the manufacture of gun-powder. During the 

 late war, its price rose to £30 per ton in Europe, and it would seem a 

 subject not unworthy of attention, to ascertain in what quantity and at 

 what price we could draw it from our own provinces. There are several 

 sources of supply within these mountains ; but it is to be feared that the 

 expence of carriage would neutralise any profit to be expected from the 

 more remotely situated of these. It is found in the deposits of hot 

 springs, occurring in the bed of the Rdmgangd, and of the Garjia rivers; 

 in the province of Kamdun, mixed with carbonate of lime, from which it 

 is readily separable by a subliming heat. — It occurs in considerable quan- 

 tity in some of the galleries of the lead mines at Mywdr, on the Tons, in 

 Jaunsdr. — It may also be obtained in the first roasting of copper pyrites, 

 as is practised at the Parys' works in Anglesea, or of the ores of Galena, 

 as was effected in the lead mines of Cronebane, in Ireland. It is not easy, 

 without further enquiry, to estimate correctly the amount derivable from 

 these several sources. Doubtless it would be considerable, and proba- 

 bly greater than any demand likely to arise immediately. 



2. — Green Sulphate of Iron. 



In connection with the deposites of sulphur and carbonate of lime oc- 

 curring at the hot springs, there are also found extensive surfaces cover- 

 ed with an efflorescence of green sulphate of iron. This substance might 

 be further obtained, in any quantity, from the iron pyrites of the mines. 

 The conversion of the sulphuret into the sulphate is effected by reducing 

 it to small pieces, exposing it to the air, and occasionally sprinkling it 

 with water ; operations requiring little labor, and involving no other ex- 

 pence. 



3 M 3. — Alum. 



