1838.] Further information on the gold washings of Assam. 627 



in gold, but particularly when it has collected in considerable quantities 

 round the fibrous roots of the gigantic fern. 



Hollows and cavities in the loose ferruginous sandstone (which 

 abounds in many of the rivers) are likewise cleared of all sand and gra- 

 vel, the outer coating of the sandstone scraped off, and all is carefully 

 v/ashed. This last is said to be sometimes a prolific source of the pre- 

 cious metal. 



I have only twice witnessed the process of gold washing, once in the 

 Erawaddie y and once in the Booree Diking, and although the method 

 by the gold-washers differed, the soil washed was the same. The resi- 

 due left, after the sand was washed out, was in both cases, a black 

 metallic looking sand, which contained the gold, and this blackish sand 

 is invariably met with, excepting in washing the outer coating of the 

 ferruginous sandstone above mentioned*, 



3rd April, 1838. Experiments. — In the Buramputer or Lohit which 

 it is called above Debong Moukh, and in the vicinity of Tengapannee 

 Moukh a party of Cassarees 60 in number, washed for five days, and 

 realized 25 rupees weight of gold. Also twenty men for one month 

 who collected half a tola, or eight rupees worth of gold each. And 

 fifteen men for one month, collected each eight rupees worth of gold. 

 The above operations have been performed within the last few years. 



In the Noa Diking both above and below the present village of 

 Beesa, a party of twenty Cassarees, washed during three months in the 

 Utter end of 1837, for gold, and realized eight annas weight each, in all 

 ten tolas, which was sold at Sydiah, for twelve rupees per tola of gold dust. 



In the Booree Diking a party of Cassaree traders in salt, 24 in 

 number, washed for gold during their stay at Jaipore for one month* 

 and realized in all twelve annas weight of gold. 



In the cases above mentioned there is a considerable difference in 

 the quantities of gold collected. The last named however, being realized 

 when the party were on a trading visit to Jaipore for salt, can hardly 

 be considered as a fair specimen, as the washing for gold was looked 

 upon more as a pastime and the labour by no means constant. But the 

 first mentioned instance may be taken as a very fair specimen of what 

 can be earned by gold washing in the Lokit, when the numbers of the 

 gold- washers are considerable, and when the object is to procure as 



* Capt. H.'s account of the process and implements is omitted, as a tolerable 

 description has already been given in the preceding paper. Might not the gal- 

 vanic magnet be advantageously employed in freeing the washed sand of its fer- 

 ruginous particles ? We have frequently employed the common magnet in the 

 examination of small specimens of these sands with advantage. The use of mer- 

 cury might thus be avoided. — Ed. 



