MINER SlLOGY. 



Our knowledge of the mineralogy of the Provinces has 

 been increasing with each successive year, and will pro- 

 bably contiue to do so for many years to come. Lead 

 rich in silver, copper, manganese, Tremenheerite a new 

 mineral, chiastolite, chalcedony, carnelian, and agate have 

 ail been discovered within the last ten years ; and we have 

 every reason to believe, that the n«xt ten will not be less 

 fruitful in discovery. 



EARTHY MINERALS, 



COMMON QUARTZ. 



Common quartz is one of the most abundant minerals 

 in the Provinces. 



coTc6« 



CRYSTALLIZED QUARTZ. 



Small crystals of quartz are common in the Provinces, 

 and large specimens of rock crystal are sometimes brought 

 from the Siamese frontier. Some of the " Ceylon dia- 

 monds " which the Ceylonese offer for sale, are made of 

 rock crystal ; and many of the " rubies," and other pre- 

 cious stones, that the Shans bring with them in their an- 

 nual caravan from the north of Burmah, are made of rock 

 crystal colored artificially. They are heated and plunged 

 into colored solutions. A gentleman of my acquaintance 

 being about to visit Calcutta a few years ago, purchased a 

 few of these " jewels," a great bargain, of a Shan who 

 was anxious to return home, and therefore sold for fifteen 

 rupees what, he said, was worth a hundred. On being 

 subjected to the examination of a jeweler in Calcutta,, 

 they were found to be all either colored quartz, or paste^ 

 and not worth fifteen pice ! 



§S8fi ofcoqpoSi. 8§ucq<5. 



