90 
Records of the Geological Survey of India. 
[vol. vr. 
down tangled masses of creepers and the lower vegetation. It soon became apparent that at 
no very distant period a violent hurricane or cyclone must have swept across the island. 
An entrance was at last found, and for three hours, cutting our way and making con¬ 
stant detours to avoid fallen trees, we endeavoured to force onwards to the summit, hut 
were at length compelled to give up all hope of succeeding and returned to the beach- 
Further evidence of the hurricane was there afforded by numerous fragments of a wreck 
which had been thrown up on the sand. Subsequently this storm was identified with one 
which took place on the 20th of October 1872, and did much damage in the Cocos Islands 
and other parts of the Bay. 
The only rock seen where we landed was a conglomerate, or boulder bed some 50 feet 
thick. The boulders consisted of a trachytic porphyry which contained sanidine, augite, and 
mica in grey or pinkish matrices. We discovered no evidence whatever of recent lava or 
basalt occurring, though either or both may exist, as our observations were confined to one 
small bay. 
Notwithstanding the luxuriance of the jungle which included species of Ficus, Palms 
(Caryota), Acasia, Calosanthes, &c., no fresh water was discovered. 
Much remains to be done in the exploration of this most interesting volcanic island. 
It is particularly desirable to ascertain whether there is really a crater at the summit, and 
whether there are any traces of recent lavas. 
Future visitors would do well to provide themselves with some wood-cutters. They 
should land near the northern spur, and getting then on the steady rise, they will probably 
find no insuperable obstacle on their way up. 
Stray Notes on the Metalliferous resources of British Bubmah, by W. Theobald, 
Geological Survey of India. 
Though little that can, strictly speaking, he called precise information respecting the 
mineral wealth of Burmah exists, either as regards the value or extent of its presumed 
mineral sites, yet it may he not without interest to give a brief sketch of what stands 
recorded on the subject, leaving for future investigators the task of sifting these statements 
and determining the importance in an economic point of view of each separate locality. 
A general impression is undoubtedly prevalent that considerable metalliferous resources 
exist in Martaban and Tenasserim, and that it only requires a thorough examination 
of these districts to establish the fact in a manner sufficiently clear and precise to 
tempt the European speculator and capitalist into the field, and originate a new and thriving 
braneh of industry which would soon prove of great value to the province. Unfortunately, 
nothing very tangible is known, though the matter lias never been quite lost sight of, and has 
attracted the attention of district officers, among whom Mr. OTiiley in Martaban, and 
Major Malcolm Lloyd in Tounghoo, may be prominently mentioned. A serious cause, however, 
of error, and of a too favourable view being taken of the productiveness of a new mineral 
locality, lies in the fact that undue importance is too commonly attached to the result of an 
analysis of a small specimen, which in reality affords uo criterion whatever of the value 
of the discovery in an economic point of view, since the actual richness of the ore is perhaps 
the least important element to be considered ; the two far more important points for con¬ 
sideration being the amount of ore procurable, and its position as regards water carriage, 
and other facilities for its extraction and reduction. Of course, all other conditions being 
equal, a rich ore is more valuable than a poor one; hut the mere analysis of a small specimen 
of ore, how rich soever it prove, is no criterion whatever of its economic value, or whether it 
can be profitably worked. A reduced copy of Mr. O’Riley’s map of Martaban, showing 
mineral sites, is published herewith for general convenience. 
