1854.] Proceedings of the Asiatic Society. 397 



50. " I have forwarded specimens from the old mines, and also 

 from the new veins, discovered not long ago, where the digging has 

 been carried only six or eight feet from the surface. I am not 

 qualified to give an opinion respecting the value of the ores. Capt. 

 Haughton says ; ' Erom examination of the ore made by myself, it 

 appears that 24 per cent, of pretty good metal might be safely 

 reckoned on from the Jampore Ore, which much resembles that 

 of Sandoo. Its chief excellence however lies in the softness of the 

 ore, which allows of its being easily worked and in its freedom from 

 sulphur. This last quality greatly simplified the process for the 

 extraction of the metal. All the mines, which appear to be very 

 extensive, require examination and careful analysis by a competent 

 person. 



51. " ' I think it might be worth the while of the Government to 

 expend a few thousand rupees in thoroughly testing the produce of 

 these diggings ; should they prove remunerative, doubtless capitalists 

 would immediately come forward to take up the speculation. 



" ' Should the veins prove unproductive, still the small outlay will 

 not have been without advantage, if it teaches the people of these 

 parts how to work the richer veins. It would be necessary to 

 enter into an engagement with the Eajah to give him a portion of 

 any produce, and an assurance should be added that the Govern- 

 ment would not continue in occupation for above three years, when 

 he might take up the speculation himself, or make an arrangement 

 with others. 



52. " ' Though gold is found in the rivers, it does not appear that 

 an attempt has ever been made to endeavour to trace the metal to 

 its bed. As is usual in this part of the world, the rivers rise and 

 run the first miles of their course through thick forests, which are 

 seldom entered by man, and could not be entered, except for a very 

 short period of each year, without great risk ; they are so unhealthy. 

 The discovery of a single nugget of any size would soon induce 

 many of all classes to brave any amount of miasma, but at present, 

 natives are entirely incredulous of the probable existence of beds 

 from which the small grains found in the sand of the rivers are 

 washed, and any search is regarded as visionary and absurd.' " 



3 a 



