PRODUCTIONS OF THE HIMALAYA. ^ 241 



twenty-four tons annually, instead of two aii'l half as at present : and the 

 revenue ought to encrease in the same proportion ; that is, from 2700, to 

 27000 annually. But this is not all. There is little doubt of the existence 

 of the ore in many other places : and were an improved system to be intro- 

 duced, and the value of the metal consequently to rise in the market ; a sti- 

 mulus to investigation would be given, which might reasonably be expect- 

 ed to lead to the discovery of other sources of the ore, at present unknown.* 



The principal mine, in point of value, Dhanpur, owes its rank in the 

 scale, not only to the great value of the ore yielded ; but also to the nature 

 of the rock in which it is situated. This rock, a red dolomite, is of such 

 consistence, as to require seldom, if ever, any props for the support of the 

 roof ; and scarcely any additional expence, after the gallery or chamber 

 is once excavated. Whereas, in the others, the rock is often so tender as 

 to require timbers for its support; and even so supported, it fails every 

 year in the rainy season ; when a new expence is to be again incurred, 

 without the prospect of any immediate advantage. This, is more par- 

 ticularly the case, with the Pokri mines. In the Diianpur mine, the 

 work once effected, there is no occasion to repeat it ; and every foot of ex- 

 cavation made good, is a permanent acquisition. An equally important 

 advantage is, the continuance of the working season all the year round. 



The compact structure of the rock, or perhaps the great elevation 

 of the mine, and its proximity to the summit of the mountain ; gives it 



another 



* I am told that the mine at Pokri, called the Raj Khan, yielded one year 50,000 Rupees : 

 and at Dhanpur, it is known that in consequence of an earthquake which shook the mine and laid 

 open new veins of ore ; the profits of the lessee were, that year, very considerable. Every one who 

 travels in the mountains, must be struck with the numerous indications which present themselves of 

 the existence of this metal. While writing this paper, a new vein of ore has been discovered, and 

 leave asked to work it. 



3 p 



