12 BCliMA, ITS PEOPLE AXD PRODUCTIONS. 



H/HIIATITE. SkSOUIOXTDE OF TliOIf. 



To tliis species belong specular iron, micaceous iron, fihrous liaim.itito, etc. 

 A deposit of specular iron ore occurs on ono of tlie branches of the I'alouk 

 liiver. "The natives think it an ore of silver, and call it 'the silver stone.' " 



The same ore occurs in many places east of the Tsittoung Kiver. 



Magnetite. PitoTOSESonioxiDE of Iron. Native Loadstone. 



A valuable ore, similar to the last, but containing a mixture of protoxide as 

 well ; hence its effect on the magnet. It sometimes possesses ' polarity ' also, one 

 end of a fragment attracting the north pole of a magnetic needle, whilst the other 

 end repels it. A large deposit of this ore occurs some three miles north-west 

 of Tavoj'. Two specimens gave, on analysis by Dr. Ure, over GO per cent, of 

 metallic iron. Two other specimens were even richer, and none of them contained 

 either manganese or titanium. 



LiMONiTE. Hydrous Oxide of Iron. Concuetionary Ikon Ore. 



This is a valuable ore, but alloyed with clay usually. It is the ore which was 

 formerly smelted in the Prome district, where it forms hollow concretions and 

 nodular masses in some Tertiary sandstones in the district. Under this head 

 may be classed the yellow ochraceous and bog iron ores. Mason says these 

 ores are common in the provinces, but does not specif}' localities. These ores are 

 not now smelted, as English iron is imported more cheaply. 



Spinel. Aluminate of Magnesiu^i. 



The red transparent varieties constitute the 'spinel' or 'balas' rubj"-, which 

 differs from the oriental or precious rubj' in composition, hardness and form. The 

 'sapphire' or ruby crystallizing in hexagonal prisms, the 'spinel' in dodecahedrons, 

 which are often 'twinned' or macled. It forms the bulk of the green sand brought 

 down from Ava, and the residue is mainly composed of small saj)pliires. The com- 

 ponent of a handful. Dr. Mason describes as comprising every sliaile, "black, blue, 

 violet, scarlet, rose, orange, amber-yellow, wine-yollow, brown and white." 



Cassiterite. Binoxide of Tin. Tinstone. 



This mineral is abundant in Burma, and in association with the granite, 

 previously described as forming a belt through the Tenasserim provinces, is found 

 in a variety of spots from the Karen-ni country north-east of Toung-ngoo to the 

 Pakchan River in Southern Tenasserim. The works at JIalee-won, however, on 

 the Pakchan Eiver in north latitude 10^ 10', are the only ones which are regularly 

 carried on in I'.ritish territory. " The richest locality in the province of Tavoy 

 is nearly opposite the city of Tavoj' on the eastern side of the mountains. Capt. 

 Tremenheere found the richest deposit of tin in the province of Kalian on Mergui 

 Island, about eleven miles above the town, and near the Tenasserim Itiver. According 

 to Capt. Tremenheere, large scales of chlorite occur with it, and as they are generally 

 found where the tin is most abundant, the natives call it ' the mother of tin ' (query 

 mica?). The face of the hill is in one spot covered over with these, which apjiear 

 to have been brought down from the vein with other matter, from which the tin has 

 been separated by the usual mode of washing. This vein is descriliod as consisting 

 of decomposed granite three feet wide, in white sandstone, and dipping with a high 

 angle. No tin has been raised since the country came into our possession, but it 

 was worked during the Burmese rule, and valued as sujii)lying the richest ore of tin. 

 At Kay-mah-hpyoo, east of Toung-ngoo, and on the eastern slojies of the Pounglong 

 range, a few miles beyond the liritish boundary, tin is largely worked by llio 

 Karen-ui, or lied Karens, who cast (he metal iiilo small pigs of a ' viss ' each, whicii 

 circulate as rupees. According to Mr. O'liiley, the tin ore is not confined to IIhs 

 eastern slopes, but is found on the western side of the mountains, also in British 



