PRODUCTIONS OF THE HIMALAYA. 235 



of crystals, varying in length from one, to one-eighth of an inch. These 

 crystals are very flat hexagonal prisms, with trihedral summits. They are 

 of an oil green color, and nearly, if not quite, opaque. In the other state, 

 it contains a good deal of Borax-dust, which consists either of very mi- 

 nute crystals, or of fragments, broken off the larger crystals, of the sand, 

 or earth, forming the substratum of the lake, from which it is procured, 

 and (not unfrequently) of impurities, with which it is fraudulently adul- 

 terated. The picked Borax (or larger crystals,) is, itself, very far from 

 being pure, and the method of purifying it, is said in England, to be a 

 secret confined to a few — could perceive no difficulty, beyond the length 

 of time required for the deposition of the peculiar matter by which it is 

 contaminated. I have found Borax of one solution, perfectly equal to 

 the purposes of the arts. When pure, it is quite transparent, and nearly 

 colorless. It is an article of such great utility, (for its actual uses are 

 limited by the high price it bears) that it appears desirable the purifica- 

 tion might be performed on the spot instead of transporting it to such 

 a distance in its impure state, thereby enhancing the price. Indeed, ow- 

 ing to the high duty, which amounts to a prohibition, the price of Borax, 

 in the Calcutta market, whether raw or purified, is the same, viz. four- 

 teen to seventeen rupees a maund. At Bageswar it is five rupees. 



The preceding details are sufficiently meagre, but this must neces- 

 sarily be the case as none of the substances found in our own provinces, 

 have yet been sought for as articles of commerce : so that, except the 

 mere fact of their occurrence, there is little to communicate. In the fol- 

 lowing Section, which includes an account of the mines worked, I shall 

 be more full ; though I fear there may still remain many deficiencies, and 

 many particulars of interest to be supplied. 



II. — Metallic 



