paut 1.] Lawder; Mineral Statistics of Kumaon, Sfc. 21 
pure mineral. I have since forwarded some of this to Mr. Tween, who has been kind, 
enough to analyse it. Here is what he says:— 
“ It contains nothing but a very sandy clay, mixed with some strong bituminous matter. 
It burns vigorously for a short time like a coal, but soon ceases, and leaves without di¬ 
minishing in bulk, nothing but the clay behindthus I was not much in error in naming 
it as bitumen. 
On further enquiry, however, I find that this is not the pure mineral, it may contain 
a small amount of it, but is otherwise largely adulterated. I have not as yet been able 
to visit the place from whence salajit is collected, but from intelligence obtained from several 
Halims, I am led to believe that the pure mineral here known as salajit is in all pro¬ 
bability similar to that of Nepal, which I)r. Oldham states is a native sulphate of alumina. 
Salajit is used as a medicine. It is said to be a specific in colds or influenza; to ease 
pains in the heart and lungs; in rheumatism, taken internally and externally; it is given 
with nitre in affections of the kidneys; to cure Impotency, and is used as a Tonic; and 
also as a lotion to wounds, &c.; it is valued at 4 annas to Re. 1 per tola, according to quality. 
Sulphate of alumina is also to he found on some of the aluminous shales in the lower 
ranges in Kumaon. It can be seen on the road between Naim Tal and Khyrna, near Jak 
village. The shale contains minute particles of' pyrites disseminated throughout its mass 
which decomposing promotes the formation of alum. The infiltration of water causes 
lixiviation, and the alum is left as an encrustation on the outside of the rock. 
Talc. —A kind of dark-coloured Talc called Jalposhe seems also to be used as a medicine, 
either alone, or combined with other substances after it has been very finely pulverized. It is 
said to have cooling and tonic properties, is given in fevers, and in expectoration of blood from 
the lungs. These properties possibly arise from the amount of magnesia and iron it may 
contain. 
Slates. —Two specimens (in addition to those mentioned before) of clay slate have come 
under observation this year, one from Dharee village, Patti Bael, (Ganguli,) and the other 
from Bora Rao Putti. They are apparently much inferior to the Chitell slate in every respect. 
Imports and Exports. 
Prom the annexed tables prepared from information obtained from the respective Tehsils 
and Thannas, and from the statement from Gurhwal, the amount of borax altogether import¬ 
ed through the ghats of Darma, Milum, and Niti, including some from the Byansc and 
Choudans ghats, was rnaunds 31,473, or much less than shown in last year's returns. The 
amount entered in the return from Chumphawut is taken by me as a portion of the amount 
entered in the Petwa return, as it passes through Chumphawut en route for Burmdco and 
Pileebheet. A large quantity of borax direct from Choudans, Byanse and Darma finds its 
way into Nipal. The Tibetan authorities exact a tax in kind upon the export of borax to 
British territory of one load of grain for every ten loads of borax. It is carried by goats 
and sheep in a sort of pack with a pair of pockets slung over the hack, one on each side. 
The pockets are covered with leather to keep out wot and damp when piled on the ground. 
This pack is girthed underneath the body, a band round the chest and another under the 
animal’s tail render it perfectly safe. Each goat is supposed to be able to carry eight seers 
(or 16 lbs), and the pockets are made sufficiently capacious to hold that weight of grain.* 
* It is marvellous to observe the business-like way in which these little beasts of burden carry their loads ! 
Coming upon them on the very narrowest, steepest and slippiest ascent on the brink of a precipice they seem intent 
only upon pursuing their way, not turning aside for any one or anything, their obstinacy often causing the traveller 
uneasiness and teaching him patience. And uot the less carious is it to observe flocks of them numbering many 
hundred each meeting, each going the contrary way, and yet none make a mistake, hut persist in following their own 
leader and patiently overcome all obstacles to their doing so.—A. W. L. 
