168 



GEOmGY OF PULO PINANG, &c.. 



covered with a white chalky coating. The roof is dome-like. The 

 stalactitic masses form numerous fret-works, with arched window-like 

 apertures. There are numerous chambers too, and lofty perpendicular 

 passages, some of them admitting light at top, communicating with each 

 other, and producing a pleasing effect when illuminated from within by 

 torches. In places, water is dripping constantly from the roof, but few 

 stalagmites are formed. The floor is nearly level, covered with a brown 

 calcareous earth and with portions of calc-tuff, (Mo. 10). No. 11 is a 

 specimen of the calcareous sinter, from some of the stalactitic masses. 



No sculpture or inscription of any kind was found in the caves. A 

 tradition exists among the natives of the county, that it was at one time sur- 

 rounded by the sea, and from its general appearance, from the existence of 

 fossil shells in the breccia, and the low nature of the surrounding country, 

 I am inclined to believe that such was the case, and that at no very distant 

 period. It may be remarked also, that it strongly resembles the description 

 of the Limestone Rocks, on the Tenasserim Coast, given by Captain Low. 



During the same tour, I had an opportunity also of visiting the near- 

 est range of small hills before mentioned as running parallel with the 

 coast, about sixteen miles inland, and about three miles to the eastward of 

 Alu Ganuh, the then residence of the Rajah of Ligore. They are so 

 thickly covered with wood,, that it is scarcely possible to examine their 

 geological structure. In a few places, however, portions of rock jutted 

 out above the surface, and were found to be formed of a fine kind of 

 sandstone, of which probably the whole range is composed. 



