223 
PART 4.] Theolald: Pleistocene deposits of the Northern Punjab. 
tlie habit in all this part of the Indus valley to collect bonlders from the vicinity 
of the river and convey them away on carts or camels for the purpose of 
strengthening the mud-walls of the houses. Near the river the walls of many 
houses ore mainly built of the larger bouldei’s, whilst at a greater distance, the 
builders use these stones more sparingly, building them into the comers of the 
house only, where they protect the mud-walls from injury from passing cattle, &c. 
In many villages, too, a very old trait of patriarchal times may still be seen. 
Any very large smooth boulders or stones from Buddhist or other ruins, are 
brought up into the village, and either ranged under a tree or placed in some 
convenient spot for the use and delectation of the village headman, and ‘ grey 
beards,’ precisely as we read in Homer, was the case in Pyle in the days of 
Helens, three generations of articulate-speaking men before the fall of Troy. 
(Horn. Od., Book III, 1. 404.) 
'‘Hf/.og S’ rjpiysVBia i3pa.'ji\ poSoSaxruAoj 
*£lpVUT up' Pcp^VlOJ l-KTrOTCl Ngcrxcog 
’Ex 8’ kxSu>v KUT ap’ ex) ^suroivi Aidonriv 
01 ol eirav xpoxapot^e bvpaxrv t54'))A«t3'V 
Asuko), axo(rTi\j3ovreg aXsl^ccTO; oi; exi p.ev xplv 
NijXeuj 'i^effKBV Seo(piy fj.rjO’TXTg oaaXavTog' 
AXA’ 0 ptev ^8>j xjjpi Sapieif AiSoaSe /3s/3^x6i, 
Nscrr'sxg av tot e<Pii^s TeprjViog »pog 'Ayjxim, 
Sx^Trrpov eyxsv xep) 8’ uisg ocoXKeeg rjyepsbovTO’^ 
An even more probable explanation for the occurrence of Indus gi’avcl at 
different .spots on the Chitapahar range is the popular fashion of ornamenting 
graves in this part of the Punjab with smooth round stones, those of white quartz 
and variegated gneiss or schistose rock, being selected more commonly for this 
purpose. This practice may bo noticed many miles from the river Indus,, and 
proves that natural piety is as effective a stimulus for an unproductive ex¬ 
penditure of labour, as the harsh necessity of “ shot drilland to this latter 
cause I attribute the presence of the Indus pebbles occasionally mot with at 
considerable height on the Chitapahar hill. In many spots villages formerly 
existed, which are now abandoned in favour of the plains, owing to the security 
for life and property which the people now enjoy. 
* ‘Soon as Aurora, daughter of the Dawn, 
With rosy fingers, had unveiled the morn; 
Prom ofE his couch, Gcreuian Nestor rose. 
And issuing forth, refreshed by night’s repose. 
On polished stones, before his palace gate 
As Neleus used of yore, the monarch sate. 
White, smootii, and glittering in the sun they shone 
Unhewn, each bloch disidayed a rustic throne ; 
But Neleus passing to th’ Elysian shade 
Wise Nestor reigned and I’ylo’s sceptre swayed. 
Whilst numerous sons around, obeisance made.’ 
