GANGETIC HINDOOSTAN. 361 



metals but tin. Gold is produced in every part of the country Gold. 

 by walhing the fand of the rivers, and is one of the fources of 

 revenue; twelve thoufand, feme fay twenty thoufand people, 

 are employed in that work, each of whom has from the Rajah 

 a certain wages. Its gum lac is excellent, and it is very pro- 

 dudive of 111k. 



Among the fruits which this country produces, are mangoes, Fruits. 

 plantains, jacks, oranges, citrons, limes, pine apples, and pu- 

 nialeb, a fpecies of amleb, which has fuch an excellent flavor, 

 that every perfon who taftes it prefers^tto the plumb. There 

 are alfo cocoa-nut trees, pepper vines, Areca trees, and the 

 Sad'ij in great plenty. The fugar-cane excels in foftnefs and 

 fweetnefs, and is of three colors, red, black, and white. There 

 is ginger free from fibres, and betel vines. The ftrength of 

 vegetation and fertility of the foil are fuch, that whatever feed 

 is fown or flips planted they always thrive. The environs of 

 Ghergong furnifli fmall apricots, yams, and pomegranates ; but 

 as thefe articles are wild, and not aflifted by cultivation and 

 engraftment, they are very indifferent. The principal crop in 

 this country confifts in rice and maJJj. Ades is very fcarce, and 

 wheat and barley are never fown ; lignum aloes is alfo a produc- 

 tion of this country. The fllks are excellent, and refemble Suk. 

 thofe of China ; but they manufac5ture very few more than are 

 required for ufe. They are fuccefsful in embroidering with 

 flowers, and in weaving velvet, and tantbund, which is a fpecies 

 of filk, of which they make tents and kcnauts^ 



One of their great forefts is inhabited by abundance of ele- 

 phants, flx or feven hundred may be taken in a year, but they 



Vol. IL 3 A are 



