PRODUCTIONS OF THE HIMALAYA. 233 



marble, occurs at no great distance from the plains, and would certainly 

 be admired. Another, at no great distance, is a flesh-colored dolomite, 

 with purple clouded delineations, which, to judge from hand specimens 

 that have been worked and polished, promises well. All the preceding 

 are fine grained, almost compact. A marble of a more crystalline grain 

 is found on the road to Bhath eenaili, above the Bishen Ganga. This is 

 a large mass ; but, perhaps, too far from the plains to be of any value. 

 Rolled pieces of crystalline limestone are found in many of the torrents 

 within the zone of greatest elevation, proving that beds of this rock are, 

 or were to be found within that tract. 



8. — Potstone, (Indurated Talc.) 



This rock may be substituted for many of the purposes of the for- 

 mer. It admits of considerable, though not equal polish, and in its great 

 sectility, and the consequent facility of shaping it, there is an advantage. 

 It may be cut with a knife, and by means of chisels, rasps, and files, 

 may have any delicacy of ornament impressed on it. It may be turned in 

 the lathe, and in this way are formed in Europe vessels, which are used for 

 preparing food, having the advantage of standing the most intense heat : as 

 a material for small furnaces and crucibles, it is valuable on this account. 

 In ornamental work, its inferiority of polish and peculiar oily lustre, 

 prevent its emulating marble — yet it is not without its beauty and its 

 correlative gem — the chrysolite, which has something of the same pecu- 

 liarity of appearance, is highly valued. So well are the uses of this 

 stone understood in Europe, that at CJiiavenna in Italy, it is said, a ve- 

 ry considerable trade is carried on in articles manufactured from it, 

 amounting to forty thousand piastres yearly. In Ireland, where, as in 

 these mountains, it has been found in a primary formation, containing 

 also copper, it forms a profitable article to the proprietors of the mines. 



3 N Serpentine, 



