the Kingdom of Thibet. 48-7 
a bullock’s kidney, which was a hard flint veined with 
folid gold. He caufed it to be fawed in two, and it was 
found throughout interlarded (if I may be allowed the ex- 
preflion) with the pureft metal. Although they have 
this gold in great plenty in Thibet, they do n-ot employ 
it in coin, of which their government never ftrikes any ; 
but it is ftill ufed as a medium of commerce, and goods 
are rated there by the purfe of gold- dull, as here by mo- 
ney. The Chinefe draw it from them to a great amount 
every year, in return for the produce of their labour 
and arts. 
I could with to add to this account fomething refpedt- 
ing the plants and other botanical productions of this 
country ; but I would not prefume to offer any thing but 
what is authentic and exaCt, as far as my knowledge 
goes. Mr. bogle will no doubt be able to fatisfy the 
learned in that branch, reflecting many things of which 
I have at prefent no information. He fent down to Cal- 
cutta many feeds, grains, kernels, and fruits, part of 
which only arrived fafe. Of the laft I tailed feveral, they 
were chiefly of the European forts, fuch as peaches, 
apples, pears, 8cc. and therefore more defirable for us in 
Bengal; but they were all to me infipid and bad. 
I am now, sir, to clofe thefe remarks with craving 
your forgivenefs for having thus flarted a new fubjeCl of 
6 curioiity. 
