il] GEOLOGY AND MINERALOGY. 73 



to give it weight in the sand, and render the washing pro- 

 fitable. The metal in some parts in the north is found in red 

 clay-shale, which is soft enough to allow the women to pound 

 it in wooden mortars previous to washing. At Mashinga it 

 occurs in white quartz. Some of the specimens of gold which 

 I have seen from Manica and the country of Bazizula (Mosu- 

 surus!) were as large as grains of wheat, and those from river3 

 nearer Tete were extremely minute dust only. I was thus 

 led to conclude that the latter was affected by transport, and 

 the former shewed the true gold-field as indicated by the 

 semicircle. Was the eastern ridge the source of the gold, 

 seeing it is now found not far from its eastern flank? 



" We have then at present a coal-field surrounded by gold, 

 with abundance of wood, water and provisions — a combina- 

 tion of advantages met with neither in Australia nor California. 

 In former times the Portuguese traders went to the washings 

 accompanied by great numbers of slaves, and continued there 

 until their goods were expended in purchasing food for the 

 washers. The chief in whose lands they laboured expected a 

 small present — one pound's worth of cloth perhaps — for the 

 privilege. But the goods spent in purchasing food from the 

 tribe was also considered advantageous for the general good, 

 and all were eager for these visits. It is so now in some 

 quarters, but the witchery of slave-trading led to the with- 

 drawal of industry from gold-washing and every other source 

 of wealth; and from 130 or 140 lbs. weight annually, the pro- 

 duce has dwindled down to 8 or 10 lbs. only. This comes 

 from independent natives, who wash at their own convenience, 

 and for their own profit. 



" A curious superstition tends to diminish the quantity 

 which might be realised. No native will dig deeper than his 

 chin, from a dread of the earth falling in and killing him ; and 

 on finding a piece of gold it is buried again, from an idea that 

 without this 'seed' the washing would ever afterwards prove 

 unproductive. I could not for some time credit this in people 

 who know right well the value of the metal; but it is univer- 



