* Mines of Lead Sulphur and Orpiment. 353 
“Pallas observed it in the mountainous, arid and calcareous 
portions of the great desert of Tartary. M. Eversham collected 
it in the steppe of the Kirghiz, to the north of the Caspian Sea, 
where it is called semljenoi-chleb. M. Ledebour has observed it 
in the same countries, but chiefly those which border on Altai; 
and Bilezikdgi saw it also in Anatolia, in 1845. Dr. Léveillé 
gathered it in Crimea, and Dr. Guyon recently in Algeria.” 
“Tt is found in irregular shaped bodies, varying in size from 
that of a pin’s head to a pea or small nut, and when seen in its 
proper sites, has never been found attached to any support what- 
ever. An analysis of the Lecanora shows that there is no fecula 
in its composition.” 
_ Wellsted, p. 49, “learned from a Jewish Rabbi, that on his 
journey through the desert contiguous to Damascus, far removed 
from trees or vegetation of any kind, a substance was deposited, 
which, from his description, in appearance, size and flavor, ac- 
curately resembled the manna of the Scriptures. Similar testi- 
mony was derived from several Bedouins.” 
It may be remarked, in passing, that several writers have not 
hesitated to identify some of these species with the manna _mir- 
aculously supplied to the Israelites, in the wilderness. They 
were obviously acquainted with manna of some kind, from the 
fact that they named the new substance from its resemblance to 
it. Dr. Wright describes, also,— : SBD 
“ Mines of Lead, Sulphur and Orpiment, which exist in the 
mountains, and are worked by the natives there. ‘The lead 
mines are found mainly in the Nestorian country, where they are 
worked chiefly to furnish balls for rifles. Sw/phur 1s found in 
many localities, and is obtained for the purpose of making pow- 
r. In many cases, aman makes what he wants for his own 
use, and may sell a little to his neighbors. ‘The Orpiment mine 
is owned by the chief of the Hakkary Koords, Noor Ali Khan. 
It is worked extensively, and has been for many years. About 
twenty Koords are employed, day and night, in digging the 
ore and bringing it out to the surface. ‘The ore occurs 1n veins, 
which run, in various directions, into the body of a high moun- 
tain. The mineral is exported to every part of Persia and ‘Tur- 
key, where it is largely used in making a composition with which 
ussulman’s remove the hair growing on their bodies, when tre 
quenting the baths; for hair is an abomination to them, except 
on the face, and a lock or two on the head. Orpiment is also 
used by them as a pigment.” Mr. J.D. Dana informs me he has 
purchased specimens of orpiment in Smyrna, which were prob- 
ably derived from this locality. ep 
“Salt and Saline Springs.—There are some salt springs on 
the west side of the mountains, near the ‘Tigris, which are very 
useful in furnishing salt, by solar evaporation of the water. Most 
Srconp Sentzs, Vol. LI, No. ¥.—May, 1847. 49 
