302 On the Sevdlic Hills. [Oct. 



one coming into use ; the whole line of teeth stretching on a surface of 

 19 inches, and forming an arc of 90*^. The front tooth I cannot distin- 

 guish from that of the M. Latidens figured in the Geological Transac- 

 tions ; and the rear one, in the same animal, bears such perfect resem- 

 blance to the M, Elepluuitoulcs, that I cannot help risking the conjec- 

 ture that the M. Latideiis and the M. Elephardo'ides are one and the 

 same animal ; the specimens, from which the specific characters were 

 taken, having been detached teeth. 



Bringing this forward in the way of suggestion may be of use, in ul- 

 timately leading to truth. The question, however, must be determined 

 by a strict examination of specimens ; and having advanced the above 

 supposition, I will take care that the means shall be provided.* 



The minerals in this tract, west of the Jumna, correspond with those 

 to the eastward, with the exception of the presence of the gold, which 

 occurs in the beds of the rivers in these mountains, both eastward of the 

 Ganges, and westward of the Jumna ; but I am not aware of its existence 

 in the intermediate tract. Under Nahun, gold-washers are constantly 

 employed during the dry months ; their daily return varying from two 

 annas to two rupees, or from Zd. to 45. The process is extremely rude. 

 A piece of board, a long wooden trough, a ladle made out of a gourd, a 

 sieve of the large grass which grows so abundantly in this part of the 

 country, and a piece of hollow bamboo with a little quicksilver, consti- 

 tute the portable apparatus of these most primitive washers for the pre- 

 cious metal.f A great deal of the gold-dust must necessarily be lost by 

 this method of proceeding; and all the mercury, as it is evaporated in 

 open air. The grains of gold are not larger than the small scales of 

 mica, so common in river sand ; and I have not heard that the metal has 

 been found in large masses. This gold, too, has its localities, some 

 streams being much richer than others. Where is the fountain head ? 



* The rear or newly-formed teeth of every species of mastodon resemble those of the 

 elephant, so far as relates to the integrity of the apices or summits of their transverse 

 ridges ; and they might therefore be mistaken for those of the M. Elephanto'ides ; but the 

 observations which led to the conclusion, that the Ava specimens of mastodon belonged 

 to two distinct species, were not made on detached teeth. A repeated examiuation of 

 the jaws and teeth described by Mr. Clift, and the knowledge that his opinion M-as 

 formed from considering the size and number of the transverse ridges in relation to the 

 length and breadth of the teeth, have tended to confirm my belief in the establishment 

 of two species, which I must retain until further and more definite evidence to the con- 

 trary is adduced.— Referee. 



t See further particulars of the gold-washings in the Gdintfi river, by Capt. Cautle3', 

 Journal Asiatic Society of Bengal, vol. iv. p. 279 ; Plate VII. ; April, 1835. 



