1868.] BATJEKMAN ARABIA PETR^A. 33 



short distance from the joints, the best stones being found in the 

 latter position, where they usually occur (more especially the larger 

 ones) in the centre of small red marly or ochreous nodules. Those 

 in the open joints are generally dull and white, or at the best of a 

 pale-blue tint ; and as a general rule it may be said that the redder 

 the rock the finer will be the colour of the turquoises it contains. 

 These conditions of occurrence, although they can only be taken as 

 applying to the rock as now exposed, probably are generally similar 

 to those that governed the explorations of the ancients, as we see 

 everywhere large areas (say from 30 to 40 yards square) excavated 

 with only the smallest of pillars, and these very often much under- 

 cut, with occasionally a kind of level or stope along the course of a 

 crack, where a nest of mineral was probably found. The general 

 system of working appears, therefore, to have been pretty much the 

 same as that now adopted by the Arabs, namely, to follow the joints, 

 removing the rock adjoining the side, which is then broken small and 

 sifted through a sieve of about half-inch mesh. The whole of the 

 coarser fragments kept back are then taken to the mouth of the 

 cave, where they are carefully picked over in daylight. The likely- 

 looking nodular pieces are rubbed down on a piece of rough grit, in 

 order to see whether they contain turquoises or not ; and if any blue 

 colour is made apparent by this treatment, the stone is considered 

 to be worth keeping. 



Since the mines were abandoned by the late Major Macdonald in 

 1865, no regular operations of any consequence have been carried 

 on, the latest having been undertaken by a Frenchman, about two 

 years since, in the lower caves of Wady Sidreh. It is said that he 

 made a successful venture. The principle adopted in working was 

 to provide the Arabs with tools and powder, paying a small daily 

 wage in addition. The turquoises produced were then purchased 

 at a rate agreed upon beforehand. A somewhat similar system was 

 followed by Major Macdonald ; and it is no doubt a fair arrangement 

 for both sides, having regard to the inhospitable nature of the coun- 

 try, which is such as to prevent the introduction of foreign miners ; 

 but unfortunately it is not easy to be sure of getting the whole of 

 the produce, as the larger and more valuable stones command a ready 

 sale in Egypt, and are often kept back, only the smaller and inferior 

 ones being handed over to the person providing the means of 

 working. 



Old Mining-tools. — The ancient workings in Wady Maghara, al- 

 though much encumbered by cliff-falls at the outside, are for the 

 most part accessible for a considerable distance from the surface, and 

 in many instances the old faces of work may be seen. These are 

 covered with small and irregular tool-marks, of such a character as 

 to leave no doubt that they have been made with flint flakes, great 

 numbers of which are found strewing the valleys and hill- sides, as 

 well as within the workings themselves. Most of these flakes are of a 

 triangular or trapeziform section, brought up to a point, which is gene- 

 rally well worn and rounded, and the shape of which, when blunted, 

 corresponds perfectly with the grooves on the face of the rock. In 



VOL. XXV. PART I. D 



