MALAYAN PENINSULA. 143 



woods, and other products of the islands. They live in covered boats, 

 and appear inoffensive ; readily bartering the above articles for such 

 merchandize, as the Burmans bring to them. 



The Siamese appear to exert very little, if any, control over these 

 islands. Their part of the coast terminates at Pak Chan, a river of no 

 consequence further than as it forms, according to Siamese opinion, the 

 southern boundary of the British possessions in this quarter. 



Leaving this coast for a space, I will now cross the Peninsula, and 

 endeavour to give as brief an account of such geological and mineralogical 

 notices as I have been able to obtain, respecting Siam. 



The sea, which washes the shores of the Peninsula on the east side, 

 is studded with numerous islands, bold, and, for the most part, rocky. 

 The edible birds' nests being here procurable from the caves, it is probable, 

 that lime abounds in the rocks. Along the shores of the Chihnphan and 

 Chanja districts, ferruginous strata are prevalent, and loadstone is said 

 to be procured from them. 



At Ban taphan nae, nearly in the latitude of Mergui, are the only 

 gold mines now worked in Siam. The gold is either in the shape of dust, or 

 found in a reddish earthy matrix. To get this last kind of ore, pits of no 

 great depth are dug. The ore is merely submitted to the agency of fire. 

 It is not believed, that these mines yield annually more gold, than would 

 be valued at perhaps about 15,000 rupees. But as the miners (about from 

 two to three hundred, it is understood) only mine during three months in 

 the year, and as they go very clumsily and unskilfully to work, the real 

 value of these mines remains unknown. 



A 



