21 
S U M A T R A. 
Tin. nefs that has never been imitated in Europe. Tin, called by the French 
writers Calm, is one of the principal export commodities of the ifland* 
The country where it chiefly abounds, is in the neighbourhood of Pa- 
lembangon the call coail, but in many other parts the natives point out 
SuJphur. its exlflence, and particukriy about Pedattee near Bencoolen. Sulphur 
Saltpeter. is gathered in any quantity about the numerous volcanos* Saltpetre 
the natives procure, by a procefs of their own, from the earth which is 
found impregnated with it ; chiefly in extenfive caves that have been 
from the beginning of time, the haunt of a certain fpecics of birds. 
Coal, of whofe dung the foil is formed. Coal,- moftly waflied down by the 
floods, is^ colleded in feveral parts, particularly at Cattown, Ayerrammee 
and Bencoolen. It is light, and not efteemed very good, but 1 am in- 
formed that this is the cafe with all coal found near the furface *>f the 
canli. Tk^a ..»<»i«** our*— »j in «ii iiurizontal, but in an 
inclined direftion, and till the pits have fome depth, the foflil is of an 
indiflerent quality. The little ifland of Poolo Pifang, clofe to the foot 
ChryHal. Mount Poogong, is chiefly a bed of rock chryfl:aL Mineral and 
Kot Spriags. fpriugs have been difcovered in many diflrids. In tafle the waters 
moftly rcmble thofe of Harrowgate, being naufeous to the palate. The 
Eaitii Oil. oleum terrae, or earth oil, ufed chiefly as a prefervative againft the defl:ruc* 
live ravages of the white ants, is colleded at Ippoe and elfewhere.* 
There is no fpecies of hard rock to be met within the low parts of the 
ifland, near the fca fliore, Befldes the ledges of coral, which are co- 
SoftR<jck. vered by the tide, that which generally prevails is the mppdy as it is 
called by the inhabitants, formine- the baflfs fvf tV^ »vJ ciiifs, and not 
unfrequently the beds of the rivers. Though this nappal has the ap- 
pearance of rock, it pofleflcs in fad: fb little folldity, that it is difficult to 
pronounce whether it be a foft ftone or only an indurated clay. The 
furface of it becomes fmooth and glofly by a flight attrition, and to the 
touch refembles foap, which is its mofl: fl:riking charadteriflic. Except 
thofe parts of it, which by long expofure to the air, have acquired a greater 
w The fomtaia of Napiha or liquid ballam, found at Pedir, fo much celebrated hy the For* 
4ligiierc wdcerii ti doubdefs ebb oleum tscrntj or mtsia tmnSf it h called by cb« Malay$. 
degree 
