PART 4.] 
Lawder . Mineral SlalUtics of Kumaon. 
89 
The percentage of ash 36 contrasts favorably with that of the ordinary Indian 
coal raised in Bengal. The ash is colored by the presence of iron. 
Bitumen or mineral resin ( Salajit*) occurs near the summit of many mountains where 
it exudes from crevices in the rocks. 
In the neighbourhood of Kotcgaon, Go wa rseo, south of Paoree, it is seen near 
the top of large cliffs, and is worked by natives by means of a scaffolding suspended from 
the summit. I am unable to state the amount of it extracted. It is generally used as a medi¬ 
cine and exported to the plains. Medicine from Salajit is also prepared in Gungnli 
in Kumaon, but I have been unable to ascertain from whence the mineral is originally 
obtained. 
Limestone.—T he Kumaon hills are prolific in limestones, occurring both in immense 
masses, exhibiting various shades of color and structure, and as local Tufa deposits. 
In the newer geological formations of the lower hills it occurs sometimes as a light 
colored rock, and sometimes as the cementing material in conglomerate beds and very frequently 
as Tufa deposited by local springs and streams. The process of deposition is most active 
during the monsoon rains, and in nearly all the springs emanating from limestone rocks, the 
waters are highly charged with calcareous matter. 
These tnfheeous deposits occur less frequently in the higher ranges, hut there the blue 
hard limestones generally containing silex, and other hard varieties, prevail, forming well 
defined beds, and in many instances they are the predominant rocks of some of the larger 
hill runs. Small blocks of very pure black limestones are sometimes to he met with, and 1 
have picked up some small nodules of kunkur iu the L u d dy a river. 
The principal material utilised by the natives of this district is Tufa, it being more 
easily burnt and prepared, and more suitable to the kuteba kilns in ordinary use. Where it 
has in its composition a little iron it seems to yield a strong mortar. 
The localities in which lime is manufactured are very numerous, the most important 
being Naitu Tal and Jcoli for use in the neighbourhood. 
. In the Kharai range, half-way between Bagesur and A 1 m or ah, from which the latter 
station is almost wholly supplied. At Clrit&ili, in the hills north of Dwara Hat; at 
Simulkha, Baital Ghat, and Dokolf, in the Kosi valley, for consumption in the 
works in progress in the now military station at Ranikhct, and on the new cart-road from 
thence to Ramil agar. There is also lime, somewhat silicious, in Agar Putti, in the 
RethaGar range, Athagaon, and in almost all the hills in Gungnli. At Ramcsur 
it skirts the road for miles. 
It also occurs near Khyrna on the Almorah road, at Mulwa Tal, and in Gee war, &c. 
Roofing Slates, &c.—Roofing flags arc very plentiful in the district of Kumaon, and 
are generally micaceous or chloritie. 
AtChit.aili near Dwara Hat there are some beds of imperfectly metamorphosed 
clay slate, (be pianos of cleavage seeming to occur almost in the same linos with the bedding. 
The quarry was formerly used to some purpose, but owing to the neglect of former owners, it 
lias been for years filled up with debris, so that I was unable to observe the beds properly. 
Clay slate occurs also in the neighbourhood of Naint Tal, but the cleavage is im¬ 
perfectly developed. There area couple of quarries on the banks of the Ramgunga in 
Suit Putti. 
Building Stones. —Almost everywhere in the district within easy reach good 
building stone is to be had. At Almorah fine-grained evenly-bedded quartzites and 
mica schist form the hill itself, and supply material not to be excelled for 
* Mr. Lawdor is here in error in railing Salajit bitumen or mineral resin, 11, is an alum or native*sulphate 
of alumina 'which forms on the aluminous shales in the hills. At least such is the Salajit of Nepal, where it is 
well known and from which it is more largely exported than from Kumaon. Wonderful medicinal virtues are 
attributed to it, and in the plains it often sells for its weight in silver (see Notice of a native sulphate of alumina 
from the aluminous rocks of Nepal, by J, Stevenson, Esq.., Snpt., U. 0. Saltpetre Factories; .Journal, Asiatic 
Society, Bengal, Vo 1. II, p. 321. .\lso On the alum ov Salajit,., of Nepal, by A. Campbell, Assistant Sur¬ 
geon, &c M &c., ibid, p. 4S2; also a second note by Mr. Stevenson, p. H05). Whether the mineral referred to 
by Mr. Lawder be really the same as Salajii I cannot assert. T, Oldham. 
