^1 ' ON THE MINES AND MINERAL 



Serpentine, a mineral nearly allied to potstone, has not yet been 

 found, except as an ingredient in other rocks. On the other side of the 

 Kali river, (the boundary of the British authority,) it is found in suf- 

 ficient quantity. The natives apply it to the same uses as we do, i. e. or- 

 naments, and small utensils of various descriptions. I have seen a very 

 beautiful specimen — the handle of a small knife in a Khukeri, sent 

 as a present. I have myself two large specimens of a very good quality, 

 obtained through the kind assistance of Mr. Traill, the Civil Com- 

 missioner. 



Q.— Granite. 



By a certain latitude of expression, granite, though not exactly a 

 mineral, may be ranked under the head of mineral productions. There 

 is a very beautiful porphyritic grey granite close to the cantonment of 

 Almorah, which would furnish fine ornamental pillars, or slabs of any size, 

 and to any extent. Under this head also may be noticed, a variety of 

 loadstone, which has been found in fragments, and the original mass of 

 which is doubtless to be detected. It has a greenish grey basis, with 

 white crystals interspersed, and when polished, has rather a beautiful 

 appearance. 



10. — JBorax. 



' Borax, though not occurring within the British tract, yet as forming a 

 valuable article of commerce, should not be omitted. The whole supply 

 of the European market passes through these mountains. It is found in 

 a lake, which would appear from some accounts, to have the power of re- 

 producing it. It is sold at the Bagesivar Fair, (twenty-three miles from 

 Almorah,) in two states, picked and unpicked. The first consists entirely 



of 



