184 
MR. C. BARRINGTON BROWN AND PROFESSOR J. W. JUDD 
V. Economics. (See Map, fig. 11, p. 183.) 
1. Mines. 
Mining for rubies is carried on in three ways, according to the different positions of 
the ruby-bearing deposits. 
In the case of the alluvial deposits, where the sands and gravels are in a layer 
below the level of the beds of the rivers, they are reached by sinking juts called by 
the miners Twinlones, which, in the Shan language, means Round pits. Formerly 
these were made round and of small diameters, but now they are sunk square and of 
large size. 
Where the ruby-bearing material is in hill-wash it is reached by open cuttings 
called Hmyaudwins, which means Water-mines. 
And where the ruby earth is dug out of natural vertical tunnels and caves in the 
limestone, the excavations are known by the name of Loodwins—•that is, Crooked or 
Twisted mines. To these may be added a fourth class of mine where the rubies occur 
in the coarse crystalline limestone (their matrix), from which they are obtained by 
blasting the rock; and these may be termed Quarry mines. 
(a.) Twinlones .—These pits vary in size from 2 to 9 feet square. The mode of 
sinking and timbering these is as follows :•—After a few feet have been excavated, 
strong posts, 12 feet in length, are driven down in each corner, and in the case of one 
9 feet square, three more posts are driven at equal distances apart along each side. 
Short timbers are wedged across between each, and at intervals of about two feet 
light flat timbers are placed across each way. Wattles and dry grass, or twigs with 
leaves, are forced in the spaces between the upright posts to support the clay walls. 
This method of timbering is continued with the sinking to the bottom of the pit. 
When the excavation reaches the ends of the uprights, another set of posts is driven 
down inside the first, and these generally pass through the ruby-bearing sands and 
gravels. If necessary a third set is put in. Upon completing the pit and having- 
sent all the ruby sand to the surface, the timbering is taken out for use in a new pit. 
Round pits at the present day are few in number, and are sunk merely to test the 
presence of the ruby sand, but, as seen in old workings in the Kyatpyen valley, and 
elsewhere,.they must have been formerly extensively used instead of those of square 
shape now in vogue. The balance poles used both for hoisting the materials 
excavated, and the water accumulated in the pits, are made of strong bamboos. A 
large basket, filled with stones, is used as a balance weight at the butt, and to the 
long end overhanging the pit is attached a rope, or thin pole, carrying a basket. 
Some pits have five of these balance poles. Water-tight bamboo baskets are used for 
hoisting out the water. Some shallow twinlones are kept free from water by rude 
but ingenious bamboo pumps, placed in a slanting position. 
The ruby-bearing sand is placed in heaps, and washed in small flat baskets made of 
