1838.] Tin mines of Phoonga. 601 



river dressed and improved would be highly so. The towering rocks, 

 somewhat fined down and softened in their rude features by the shrubs 

 which cling to them even where overhanging their bases, produce an 

 agreeable contrast to the mildness of the landscape below. In one 

 place on the east side a chalky cliff obtrudes itself ; I attribute the 

 chalky appearance to the agaric mineral, which seems to be abundant 

 in these rocks, and which oozing from their crevices produces this sin- 

 gular effect. The river itself washes the base of the limestone preci- 

 pices lower down which are seen to great advantage while sailing up. 



The dip of the strata of the most northerly of this range was to the 

 south, but behind the town on the west side is a rock the strata of 

 which are regular and horizontal. 



The climate is rather warm during midday, but the mornings and 

 nights are remarkably cool. The sea breeze reaches the town some- 

 times, when it blows strongly. 



The town does not consist of more than 70 houses, as the population 

 is found principally in detached cottages : about 30 of the above number 

 belong to Chinese settlers. Their houses are large and convenient, 

 and are regularly built so as to form a street. The house of the chief 

 is a little larger than the rest, but has scarcely any exterior decoration 

 and is formed of wood and other light materials. The hall is of wood, 

 carved in some places. These are inclosed by a palisade of planks and 

 stakes. 



On the south of the chief's residence is the Chinese tin smelting- 

 house where one furnace was employed. 



From such information as was collected by me there, it would appear 

 that the population, independent of Malays, of this place may be estimat- 

 ed at six or seven thousand souls. There are about six hundred active 

 Chinese in this number. Two thirds of these are Macao men, who are 

 considered by the natives both here and at Fencing as the most trou- 

 blesome class of Chinese emigrants. Several hundreds of Malays are 

 interspersed in the creeks about the mouth of the river. The Siamese 

 do not permit many of them to stay near the town. 



A great portion of this population is employed during the dry season, 

 which is half the year, at the tin mines. They return during the other 

 months to cultivate rice. 



The chief sends as many Siamese to the mines as he pleases, or can 

 dispense with, and while there they receive provisions only. The ore 

 which they dig is sold to the Chinese contractor, and the profit of it 

 goes to the chief. The ore is brought down either on elephants or in 

 canoes, which can find their way two or three days up beyond Phoonga. 

 4 f 2 



