GOLD WASHING. 325 



settling downwards, where it stays ; whilst 

 the water, overflowing the tcp of the dam, 

 carries away the greatest part of the loose 

 and useless earth. They then have recourse 

 to their bateas, and carefully wash the earth, 

 &c., collected at the dam ; and this being 

 done with much dexterity and certainty, 

 the residue is the metal sought for. The 

 earth, where I principally remarked these 

 washings, was of a deep red colour, and 

 mixed with a quantity of round and oval 

 stones of various dimensions. 



At noon we reached a shady spot, and 

 halted for some time. On remounting, my 

 guide's hand was stung by a venomous rep- 

 tile, which had crept into some grass that 

 he had placed under his saddle : he imme- 

 diately drew it forth, and cutting it open, 

 anointed the bitten member with the entrails, 

 and was soon quite well. He informed me, 

 that if he had not done this, he would have 



