200 A few Remarks on the Rangoon Laterite. [No. 2. 



north of the pagoda mixed with strata of a rough silicious sand, 

 inclined at an angle of 15° to the IN". E. 



Marble and alabaster from the Ava (Sagaing) quarries are plenti- 

 ful, the former, which Chantrey pronounced to be equal to the 

 finest Carrara, particularly so ; the latter which is equally beautiful 

 and pure, is less plentiful. 



Limestone is not found nearer to Kangoon than the Martaban 

 district, and the mountains in the neighbourhood of Pegu whence it 

 is imported, and used in great quantities for the temples. It is also 

 found about Prome. 



Prom the same part of the country (Prome) come a variety of 

 sandstones which are used for domestic purposes by the Burmese. 

 Some are freestones of a fine clear even colour and very easily cut. 



I have also found boulder specimens of travertine and a roofing 

 clay-slate, but whether these will be found hereafter up the country 

 or not, I cannot say. 



One specimen only but a good one of petrified wood has been 

 found. It was presented by Major Praser to the Governor- General. 

 Doubtless we shall find more of these hereafter. 



Chlorite used as slate-pencil by the Burmese is found near Prome. 



A handsome syenite also occurs, which will, I believe, be met with 

 near Ava ; and what appears to be a decomposed granite which comes, I 

 am told, from Shoegeen and Lao country. This I have found but one 

 specimen of. It contains much felspar and at one time I thought I 

 detected grains of gold in it, which seemed a not improbable occurrence. 



I have little doubt that when we get better acquainted with the 

 northern districts, coal which belongs to the formation will be found, 

 and added to the already large mineral wealth of the country, which 

 including Lao and the Tenasserim provinces, supplies gold, silver, 

 rubies, sapphires, copper, zinc, tin, lead, iron, petroleum, antimony, 

 marble, alabaster, &c. &c. If to these be added its teak, cotton and 

 indigo, it should, with the aid of such a water carriage be a profit- 

 able and valuable acquisition to the Indian empire. 



I remain, 



Tours very faithfully, 



C. B. Young, 



Rangoon, September 10th, 1852. Captain, Bengal Engineers. 



