530C "• Visit to the Pakchan River. [No. 139. 



obtained from one trough full of soil was 2078 grs., while the average 

 was 1235 and 855 grs. The time occupied in each washing is from 

 five to six minutes. 



They stated, that in the rains, one man would earn four rupees worth 

 of tin per day. These small parties appeared full of energy and de- 

 termination to make the most of the advantages before them. About 

 their houses, situated in small clearances in the midst of the jungle, 

 there was an appearance of comfort and cleanliness not often seen on 

 this coast, while their good nature and hospitality is unbounded. 



10. The prevailing rock around them is granite, which is seen in 

 situ in several places, cropping out of the soil from the beds of the 

 stream, and in the cuttings before mentioned, where I observed it was a 

 good deal decomposed. I do not find on examination, that in any in- 

 stance the tin exists interspersed in the granite, but have every reason 

 to confirm the opinion expressed in former reports, of its occurrence 

 in the fissures and cavities of the rock from which it has been removed 

 by disintegration of the enclosing substance. None of the Chinamen 

 have, as far as I could ascertain, penetrated to the principal granite 

 hills, but are content with what they find in the streams at a distance 

 from the source whence the tin proceeds. There doubtless it exists in 

 veins or vugs, or cavities, in abundance. The metal being found so 

 near the surface of the present water- courses, the causes which have 

 distributed a rich layer of tin soil in and around them, are assuredly 

 still in action. Fresh veins or cavities loaded with the crystalized mi- 

 neral are thus becoming constantly exposed to the decomposing effects 

 of the weather, and are therefore to be found by mining at very mo- 

 derate depths. The stream works described will form, perhaps for 

 long periods, profitable employment to Chinese adventurers, whose sys- 

 tem of collection is that to which the Siamese and Malays are accus- 

 tomed. These productive streams are, however, but the index of what 

 is to be found elsewhere, and if these localities ever attract the Eu- 

 ropean capitalist, of whose notice I believe them to be well worthy, the 

 proper sphere for the scientific miner should be in the hills themselves. 

 There, if a little cautious investigation were previously made by prac- 

 tised men in search of a spot for mining operations, the use of the 

 common horse whim, or the most ordinary draining apparatus, would, 

 in my opinion, in the course of a very short time discover veins, which 



