INTERIOR OF AFRICA. 3O3 
the brim of the calabash. The sand thus separated, is only the 
coarsest particles mixed with a little muddy water. After the 
operation has been continued for some time, the sand is allowed 
to subside, and the water poured off ; a portion of coarse sand 
which is now uppermost in the calabash, is removed by the hand, 
and fresh water being added, the operation is repeated until the 
water comes off almost pure. The woman now takes a second 
calabash, and shakes the sand and water gently from the one to 
the other, reserving that portion of sand which is next the bot- 
tom of the calabash, and which is most likely to contain the 
gold. This small quantity is mixed with some pure water, and 
being moved about in the calabash, is carefully examined. If 
a few particles of gold are picked out, the contents of the other 
calabash are examined in the same manner ; but, in general, the 
party is well contented, if she can obtain three or four grains 
from the contents of both calabashes. Some women, however, 
by long practice, become so well acquainted with the nature of 
the sand, and the mode of washing it, that they will collect 
gold, where others cannot find a single particle. The gold dust 
is kept in quills, stopt up with cotton; and the washers are 
fond of displaying a number of these quills in their hair. Gene- 
rally speaking, if a person uses common diligence, in a proper soil, 
it is supposed that as much gold may be collected by him in the 
course of the dry season, as is equal to the value of two slaves. 
Thus simple is the process by which the Negroes obtain gold in 
Manding ; and it is evident, from this account, that the country 
contains a considerable portion of this precious metal ; for many 
of the smaller particles must necessarily escape the observation 
