604 Account of the Territory and Inhabitants [Dec. 



From the Naning road, at its entrance into the Naning territory at 

 Sungiepattye, branches another nearly due west, leading to Sungie 

 Bam, a cultivated district, distant about nine miles. This has been 

 constructed since the cessation of hostilities. Another road to Sabang, 

 (one of the most populous places in Naning, and a military post, about 

 four miles from Alor Gajah,) branches off in an easterly direction. 

 From Sabang there is a bullock road to Taboong, the most easterly of 

 the Naning outposts, eight miles distant from Sabang ; also a bandy 

 road to Taboo, which joins the road from Alor Gajah, shortly after 

 entering the Taboo lines. From Sabang are alsu roads to the outpost 

 of Qualla Eena and Pellowe, three or four miles distance from thence. 



Water is plentiful, and may easily be got, two or three feet below 

 the surface, on the slope of the rising grounds. It is often of an aci- 

 dulous mineral taste, but is not accounted unhealthy by Europeans. 



There is a hot sulphureous mineral spring near Sabang, the water 

 of which is esteemed by the Malays as very beneficial in cutaneous 

 diseases. I have rarely passed without seeing some diseased native 

 laving his contaminated person in the steaming liquid. There is also 

 a hot-spring in the jungle near Taboo : the natives say that the tempe- 

 rature of this is much greater than that of the Sabang spring. I have 

 not been able to discover that a volcano has ever existed in Naning. 

 nor are there any volcanic remains visible. 



A small portion of gold is, I understand, to be found in Naning, 

 and tin in considerable quantities ; but it wants a more industrious and 

 energetic population to turn these advantages to account. Mr. Wes- 

 terhout, Superintendent of Naning, has established a tin mine at 

 Londie, about two and a quarter miles from Taboo ; of the produce of 

 which and the ore I possess very favorable specimens. The charcoal 

 used by the Malays for roasting and smelting the ore is that of the 

 Compas and Kamounin wood. The following is a translation of the 

 simple Malay mining process, given me by a Malay miner : — " Excavate 

 the ground to the depth of a man ; if there be ore, you will find it like 

 small dark stones ; then make a channel to drain off the water. This 

 done, construct a furnace, like the one used in burning lime, with a 

 funnel beneath, to allow the fused metal to escape : heap it with the ore 

 and Compas or Kamounin charcoal, set fire to and blow it, and the me- 

 tal is produced." Straits tin is now selling at 13^ dollars to 14f-, and 

 Banca, from 15 to 15|, per picul. The natives' mines are very super- 

 ficial, seldom more than from six to twelve feet deep, and as many in 

 length and width. The process will be more fully described hereafter. 



Produce and Trade. — The chief produce of Naning is rice, timber, 

 and fruits ; of the former, the produce averages 70 gantams to one 



