1830 .] 
Notices of European Science. 
39 
That Major Schalch’s estimate of the increased value of the land along the line of 
the canal is not unreasonably favorable, is evident from the fact that the land conti- 
guous to the Eastern Canal had risen from 16 and 20 Rs. a cotta to 3 and 400. In 
his estimate of the expenses, he appears to have been equally on the right side, judg- 
ing from a comparison he has drawn between his results and those of the Forth and 
Clyde canal. He concludes by giving as his opinion, that the plan proposed by him. 
offers no difficulty that may not be overcome by moderate ability and attention ;and, 
as he justly remarks, his knowledge of the country and frequent visits to the tract 
in question, qualified him to form an opinion on the subject. His Memoir appears to 
have attracted that attention which it deserved, and we need not inform our readers 
was followed, by the Government sanctioning the project and engaging in the exe- 
cution of it. The disastrous war with the Burmese put a stop to this and many 
other projects ofgreat public utility, and Major Schalch, whose ardent and active mind 
would never allow him to remain idle, having organized a ponton system for the 
use of the army in Arracan, was appointed to the head of that department. His 
health having suffered, he was recommended to try the sea air, and he accordingly 
proceeded in the Research , with Commodore Hayes. In the unfortunate attempt 
which was made against the stockade of Chamballa he was mortally wounded, and 
having lingered in great pain, the following morning breathed his last. Thus terminat- 
ed a life which began under the fairest promise, and thus was cut short a career which 
in its progress would have secured to the individual an honorable distinction; to the 
country, a series of useful labours and great public improvements. Amongst the many 
names distinguished for talents and acquirements, the loss of which India has had 
within the last few years to record and to deplore, that of Schalch will hold a con- 
spicuous place. He was no common man, who at his age, and as yet a subaltern in 
his regiment, so recommended himself as to obtain from Government the distinction 
of the brevet rank of major, and this without exciting the dissatisfaction of many 
who might, in ordinary circumstances, have thought themselves aggrieved by his ad- 
vancement. Nor is it less obvious from considering his career, so brilliant though 
so short, as well as that of many others, that in India at least talent need not repine ; 
and that its possessor must, in whatever situation placed, sooner or later, work out 
for himself, not only distinction, but independence. 
XIV. — Notices of European Science. 
1 . Junction of Granite and Sandstone. 
In a paper with this title in the 8th No. of the Journal of Science, N. S, Dr. 
MacCulloch gives his opinion, that granite solidified after eruption at the bottom of 
the sea may have a secondary strata deposited on it, and then the whole be raised above 
the level of the sea by a new eruption at a still greater depth. He considers that 
he has demonstrated the successive production of granite, and that solid rocks have 
been raised by it, is, he affirms, one of the facts on which the science of geology is 
based That it may, therefore, raise solidified granite is not more surprising than 
that it should raise quartz rock or mica slate ; he asserts that Scotland is full of 
examples of this truth : the sandstone and lignite formation over it, having been 
deposited on consolidated granite, the whole being afterwards upheaved in a solid 
form by a later eruption. . . . . ... 
The facts which have <r iven occasion to this statement of his views are certainly 
curious, and may, lie thinks, at first sight.be very easily turned by a Wernerian into 
a confirmation of the opinion, that granite, like many other rocks, lias originated m 
deposition from water and is stratified Fairly interpreted, however, he considers 
them to lead merely to the above modification of the opinions that have been latterly 
gaining ground, as to the igneous origin of granite and the upheavement of the more 
® cent strata. The appearances we shall endeavour briefly to describe ; though, as he 
" ll observes, it is not possible for description to do justice to such phenomena. 
To be fully appreciated and understood they must he seen. 
wfth the exception of the present instance, he says he knows of but one example 
of the junction of granite and sandstone in Aberdeenshire ; hut in that case the ap- 
Ot me juncuo u s , , d t0 n0 conclusion beyond the mere fact of the 
pearances are ^ZntcL e U is otherwise ; there is the most perfect exposure of 
junction. In the Pf? se ”‘J“ e ° of many hundred yards ; while all the rocks are 
a^clean as If recently cut by a 'tool, and absolutely free of any incumbrance capable 
of introducing obscurity or doubt mto ^e obseiva . t , iae counlr;r comea 
the hitter he considers to befoul. 
