134 



REPORT TO THE GOVERNMENT 



From the stone various ornaments are made ; from* the inferior 

 kind, bangles, cups, etc. and from the superior, which is found in 

 small portions generally within the larger masses, rings, etc. The 

 stone is, I am informed by Mr. Bayfield, cut by means of twisted 

 copper wire. The price of the inferior kind is high. 



It is from these mines that the province of Mogoung derives its 

 importance ; so much so, that its revenue is said to exceed that of 

 any other Burman Province. The sum derived from the Serpentine 

 alone is stated to be occasionally as high as 40,000 Rs. per annum. 



Owing to the avidity with which this product is sought after by 

 the Chinese, it is highly desirable to ascertain whether it exists in 

 Assam, which indeed is probably the case. I believe it is reported to 

 exist near Beesa ; at any rate, blood-stone is found in this extremity 

 of the valley of Assam, and this, in Chinese eyes, is of considerable 

 value. If the Serpentine is found, specimens should be sent to Mo- 

 goung. As the Shan-Chinese are reported to be a most penurious 

 race, a small reduction in the price below that of the Burmese, would 

 suffice to divert the current of the trade into Assam. Another interest- 

 ing product, although of no value, exists in the shape of an Alkaline 

 spring on the Sapiya Khioung, which hence derives its name. The 

 water of this spring bubbles up sparingly and quietly from under 

 the 'rocky bed of the above mountain torrent, it is quite clear, of a 

 decided and pure alkaline taste : it is used by the natives for the 

 purpose of washing, and it answers this remarkably well. Of this 

 interesting spring Mr. Bayfield took specimens for analysis. 



Salt is procurable within a distance of three or four days from 

 Kioukseik. 



Vegetable products. — Teak, and some of it is of a fine description, 

 occurs both on the route between the Mogoung river and Kamein, 

 as well as between Kamein and the Serpentine mines. The natives 

 do not however appear to cut it, probably owing to the want of 

 water carriage. Fine timber trees, nearly allied to the Saul, likewise 

 occur on the road to the mines. 



I met with the tea but once. This occurred among the low 

 hills dividing the Mogoung district from the valley of Hookhoong, 

 close to the Dupai-beng-kheoung, or Tea tree Nullah. There was no 

 difference in the specimens brought to me from the plant of Assam, 

 with the exception that the leaves were even larger than in the plant 

 alluded to ; it did not occur in abundance. It exists I believe in 

 another place on this route, and among the same hills, but I did not 



