431 



Pookit naturally felt into disrepute. Near the 

 sliore, however, they are occastonaHy obliged to 

 wait until ihe spring tides are over, and these 

 mines in the low grounds are more apt to be in- 

 fested wiih nosiuus vapors than iho.^e sunk in 

 higher situations. The strata of tin appear to 

 to be pedtctly horizimtal, and at an uniform 

 depth below the level of the sea, through{>ut the 

 island. 



As the (>re» however, inallca«es, lies much 

 deeper below the surface I ban it does at Linggy, 

 Loi»koot, kc, a more systematic method of exca- 

 va.tion is requisite 



The mouihs of each pii are only foui feet square, 

 and each employs but four men, twp of whom are 

 engaged in deepening the pit, whilst the other 

 two are occupied in collecting bamboos, leaves, 

 &c., for a frame work. The construclidn of this 

 is extremely simple; four pieces of wood, each 

 about eight or nine inches in diameter, are notch- 

 ed and let into each .other, -forquDg a square 

 frame corresponding to the size of the pit. These 

 frames are placed at intervals of five or six feet, 

 behind which are thrust perpendicularly long and 

 thin bamboos, and the space between these and 

 tlie sides of the pit is filled up with the leaves, in 

 order to prevent both the earth and the water 

 from entering into the mine. 



A Vahola, or Pacotiah * is erected at one end 

 of the pit, a bucket being suspended from theexf 

 treniity of the arm which overhangs the excava- 

 tion, and a weight being attached to the other. 

 A small dam, filled with water, and having a mat 



" A rude macli ill e u»ed io -pariyiii }iRrta«f Itidia for reisiflg witer, 

 can^Atlfift simtil)' ofa lengtby lever playiug in lurk of a hiBii Aod pet- 

 pendicoiar po«t. 



