1831.] Some account of the head Mines of Ajmir. Ill 
III .— Some account of the Lead Mines of Ajmir. By Captain C. G. 
Dixon, Ben. Art. 
The Mines are situated on the east face of a range of hills, whose base adjoins, 
or rather in part encircles, the city of Ajmir. This range, though elevated at 
the distance of half a mile from the town about 1000 feet, on which stands 
the fort of Taragerh ; is in the vicinity of the mines, not more than 450 feet 
above the plain, or level of the valley. The apertures of the dilferent mines 
are at various heights on the side of the hills, from 100 to 350 feet; while the 
intermediate space between the extreme ones, now worked, occupies 300 yards. 
No intormation exists as to the probable period when they were first discovered 
or worked. That they have been in use for a long time, doubtless many centu- 
ries, is satisfactorily attested, by the number that are now lying unemployed ; 
perhaps from the circumstance of water having interrupted the progress of the 
workmen, or from their comparative unproductiveness. At the distance of 900 
jards from this spot, on the same range, are several mines, which, from some cause, 
ba\e fallen into disuse, and the same is observed in a distinct range, distant 1£ 
mile from the town, in an opposite direction. The depth of some of those now 
in use, may, perhaps, with reference to the extent of the work, be received as an 
additional argument in favour of their age. 
( To such as have been accustomed to observe the process followed in Europe, 
the mode here practised is calculated to excite surprise. The colouring of the 
surface having indicated the presence or proximity of the ore, a perforation is 
made m the hill; of course in some instances unsuccessfully. Having once met 
wiUi a vein, its course is pursued; no further excavation being made, than is 
sufficient to admit of a man moving on his hands. If the vein should expand, 
and its removal cause an open space, so much of it as is unnecessary for a free 
communication, is filled by pieces of rock, which so far facilitates their progress, 
by obviating its removal to the surface. In pursuing the course of a vein, cross 
ones are not unfrequently met with. The most productive is followed ; while 
recourse is had to the minor ones, when their advance in the main branches is 
occasionally checked. The system of restricting the communication to the tortu- 
ous course of the vein, precludes the practicability of removing the water ; in as 
nnic i as shafts, galleries, adits, and the usual concomitants found in similar cases 
m Europe, if not quite unknown, are altogether neglected. Neither is much 
inconvenience experienced from the presence of water ; since on meeting with 
this temporary obstruction, the workmen have recourse to more elevated branches, 
or in their absence, make new ones, smaller veins being very abundant, again 
resuming work in the lower courses on the advance of the hot season. 
The ore is lound in what may be termed a continuous vein; its breadth, gene- 
ra ly, averages from 3 to 6 inches ; though sometimes it is diffused much wider. 
As the communication is so narrow and winding, the direction of the veins can 
onl}, with tolerable accuracy, be ascertained, by means of a compass. Their 
courses, generally speaking, bear N. E. or rather between the N. E. and E. points, 
or the above reason, their declination is difficult of measurement. The descent 
of some courses is, for a short distance, nearly perpendicular, steps being cut in 
the rock for facilitating the passage of the workmen ; while in most, the fall varies 
between 30 and 40°. The ore is easily traced, from the innumerable shining 
particles of which it is composed. Its colour is very variable, doubtless from 
the nature of the soil in which it is embedded. Sometimes it has a black appear- 
ance, being remarkably porous or spongy ; at others it is of a deep red ; the most 
