PRODUCTIONS OF THE HIMALAYA. 



247 



difficulties which present themselves, when the bed or vein sinks to an 

 inferior level. And it is certainly, to the absence of water, in the Dhan- 

 pur mine ; and the consequent facility of following the ore, in all its de- 

 viations ; that its higher value in the scale, is mainly owing. Simple 

 methods of raising water, might then, I think, be advantageously employ- 

 ed : such as the endless chain of water pots, used in the upper provinces ; 

 or a pump, or set of pumps, to be worked by manual labor. In raising 

 water or any weight ; where great power is required ; one of the most use- 

 ful mechanical inventions, is the double capstan : a contrivance, which is 

 at once, eminently cheap, simple, and efficacious. In many cases, where 

 the deposit of ore has a downward direction ; a second gallery, at a lower 

 level, may be conveniently established : probably, in most cases, this method 

 of double galleries might be advantageous. A great progress must be 

 made in the system here contemplated ; before a Steam Engine, even of 

 small power, could be introduced with any thing like a prospect of 

 profit. 



I have mentioned the principal points of improvement in working the 

 ore. In delivering it from the mine ; wheel barrows ; or still better, sledges 

 on four wheels, should be adopted ; instead of the skins at present used. 

 It seems, however, doubtful, whether the introduction of goats, to draw 

 such sledges, would be any improvement. They are used extensively in 

 the upper mountains, for carrying burthens. 



In reducing the ore to fragments ; the Dhanpilr miners employ the 

 PanchaJd, or water mill. When water is present, no better plan (I mean 

 consistent with the economy here contemplated,) can be devised ; when 

 water is not to be had, in sufficient abundance ; a simple arrangement of 

 stampers, might be preferable to the method of doing it, by the 

 hammer. 



It 



