'Transactions of the Bombay Geographical Society, from January 1847 to May 1849. Edited by the Secretary. Volume VIII.' [‎37] (52/496)

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years, and no means have been taken to put a stop to the destruction of the shales*
Petroleum occurs in several localities around Kalibag, and is commonly known
under the name of “ gunduk ka tell, ,, being used in place of oil by the poorer
natives. It probably owes its origin to the destructive distillation of the bituminous
shale strata which everywhere abound.
“ It will be curious if the Nummulite Limestone of the Salt Range is identical
with that of the Hala Range* described by Grant and Vicary, the latter of whom
has been doing great things I hear at Subathoo in the way of discovering Saurian
remains and molluscee in a nummulitic limestone which occurs there—at least so
Falconer writes me from Calcutta.”
5 — Coal .—The Coal on the Indus was of several varieties : some of Mr. Chris
topher’s specimens were very heavy, and resembled the black band iron stones of
the midland counties of Scotland : others were not unlike the cannel or porrat coal
from which gas was made : others again resembling the lignite or brown coal of
Bovey, or the jet of Whitby, or a variety intermediate between the two. Dr.
Giraud had found the last mentioned of the specimens to contain a larger quantity
of combustible gaseous matters than any mentioned by English Geologists, yielding
307*9 inches of rich carburetted gas per cent.—It yields on combustion 32 of earthy
matter, 600 of gas, and 368 of solid carbon.
Specimens of Wool were also laid on the tables of the Society by Captain
Christopher. A letter relative thereto explained the qualities and prices of the
wool, and the districts where it was produced. The Secretary laid on the table
along with these a pocket-book of specimens of wool from all parts of India and
Central Asia, with descriptive memoir of quality and prices, by Mr J. Southey,
of London. It had been prepared for the late Captain Connolly in February 1839,
about this rock, as found among the Himalayas, says —“ It is probable that its chief use in Ben
gal for some time, would be as convertible into plaster of Paris, and affording a material for cor
nices and ornamental work, to the banishment of the very rude productions of this kind that we
have hitherto put up with.” There is perhaps a sufficient quantity to answer any demand
likely immediately to arise. When the Government House was last repaired, it was considered
desirable to obtain a sufficiency for the purpose above-mentioned ; but the fact of its occurrence
within our own mountain provinces was not known at that time ; — as it is within fifty or sixty
miles of water carriage fit might he expected to pay for its transport. In addition to its value in the
arts, it forms an excellent manure, and could be applied with great advantage to many of the
soils in the Punjaub. To the natives its uses are quite unknown ; but when it is appreciated,
or rather when the country falls into the hands of a Government which knows its value, we may
venture to predict, from its occurring in such vast quantity close to the banks of the river, that
it will form a valuable article of exportation to Bombay, &c., or even now, as, by the excellent
arrangements made with the Lahore Government by Mr Clerk, it is not liable to duty. To the
Bombay Government, therefore, the gypsum is well worthy of attention, seeing that it might be
most advantageously used in the public buildings, in making the ornamental works, and for many
other purposes ; and it would, as Captain Franklin remarks, afford the proper material for mak
ing cornices, to the exclusion of the rude articles now in use. The experiment is well worthy
of a trial, whether executed by Government or by private means ; if by the latter, and encourag
ed, it would no doubt yield a good return.
Proceeding along the hills in a W. by N. direction, we reached the village of Aaganwallah,
distant about four coss. The inhabitants are principally Awans ; * we ought rather to say were,
seeing that it is almost entirely deserted, owing to the rapacity of Raja King Goolab Singh’s soldiery.
To reach the village w T e proceeded up the banks of a small ravine, and, as we approached its vici
nity, we found the road paved with rounded boulders, which are strewed over the whole country.
On the hill above them is a fort garrisoned by 200 of the Jummoo troops.
Gypsum in enormous beds of thirteen feet in thickness and upwards is here met with ; and
associated wdth it the pure crystaline variety, named selenite.
Jutaneh Salt Mines. —A few miles further to the W. and by N. is the village of Kewal, where
we pitched our camp, and proceeded to examine the salt mines of Jutaneh, distant about four
* The Awans, according to Elphinstone, belong to the class of Hindkees ; they form nearly
the whole population of the country on the East side of the Indus to the South of Attock. Some
part of the country is occupied by the Kuttuks and Bauricks.