425 



summit, and forming a natural and sylvan amphi- 

 theatre. The liamlet of the mineris, composed of 

 about twcDt.y bouseiJ, lies in llie bosom of the val- 

 ley and is surrounded by the mines, whose ap- 

 pearance affords a close resembUuce to sand pits. 



About one half of the lower part of the valley 

 is as yet unbroken by the search after the metal, 

 and is sprinkled here and there with gardens, in 

 which the plantain, the mi, (piper kid), and 

 laro, (Qu. Tarmm^ or indigo plant, the indigo ftta 

 Tinctoria)* flourish remarkably welt, and the soil 

 appears to be well adapted for cultivation. 



The mines, which were first wrought in 1815, 

 are only to be met with in the valley, which is 

 nearly level, and the vein of ore is generally 

 found at the depth of from sijc to twelve feet below 

 the surface in layers of ,dark grey sand. There 

 are generally two or tiiree supenncumbent layers 

 of different soil, the one immediately conli;^uoua 

 to the ore being a white glittering sand, whose 

 atJpearance announces to the miners the presence 

 of the metal in its neighborhood. Amidst the 

 rubbish, thrown out from some old and exhausted 

 mines, are several beautiful specimens of granite 

 crystals, mica slate, hornstone, &c. 



The miners are very early at their task, and 

 work and re^t for one hour alternately through- 

 out the day, Tfiey pursue their work with great 

 cheerfulness and alacrity, the average amount 

 of labor being about six hours per diem. Their 

 wages vary from two to ten dollars a month ac- 

 cording to the work performed by the individual. 

 The Chinese proprietors of the mines pay more- 



F *i 



J'M 



