486 Mr. stewart’s Account of 
value of this precious commodity are fo well known in 
Europe. I ffiall only remark, that the deer which pro- 
duces it is common in the mountains ; but being excel* 
lively fliy, and frequenting folely the places the molt 
wild and difficult of accefs, it becomes a trade of great 
trouble and danger to hunt after. We have the muik 
fent down to Calcutta in the natural bag, not without 
great rifle of its being adulterated; but Hill it is far fupe- 
rior to any thing of the kind that is to be met with in 
fale in Europe. 
The laft of the articles which I reckon llaple is gold, 
of which great quantities are exported from Thibet. It 
is found in the fands of the Great River, as well as in 
moll of the fmall brooks and torrents that pour from the 
mountains. The quantity gathered in this manner, 
though conliderable with refpedt to national gain, pays 
the individual but very moderately for the labour be- 
Itowed on it. But, belides this, there are mines of that 
metal in the northern parts, which are the referved pro- 
perty of the Lama, and rented out to thofe who work 
them. It is not found in ore, but always in a pure me- 
tallic ftate (as I believe it to be the cafe in all other mines 
of this metal) and only requires to be feparated from the 
fpar, Hone, or flint, to which it adheres. Mr. Hastings 
had a lump fent to him at Calcutta, of about the lize of 
a bullock’s 
