part 4.] Theobald: Metalliferous resources of British Burma//. 
93 
to ascertain if no alternative route can be devised by the Salween to Monlmein, making use 
of water carriage for part of tbe way. 
Galena.—T his ore is known to exist in numerous spots in Martaban and Tenasserim, 
and is usually argentiferous to tbe extent on an average of 12 ounces of silver per ton of 
lead, taking as a guide tbe first six analyses of the subjoined table. In this respect the 
galena from Bamo and Upper Burmah is far richer, the mean of three samples from Bamo, 
giving 78 oz. 17 dwts. of silver to the ton of lead, the poorest yielding 58, and the richest 
104 ozs. 
Table exhibiting the amount of silver in ounces per ton of lead, from samples of Galena, 
from various parts of Burmah. 
! # 
Galena 
Martaban 
oz. 
5 
dwts. 
8 
gr. 
0 
2. 
Do. 
do. 
5 
14 
0 
3. 
Do. 
do. 
9 
0 
0 
4. 
Do. 
Tavoy 
16 
7 
19 
5. 
Do. 
Moulmein 
19 
6 
14 
6. 
Do. 
Tounghoo 
20 
8 
7 
7. 
Do. 
Bamo 
58 
14 
8 
8. 
Do. 
Bamo (Ponseo) 
73 
10 
0 
9. 
Do. 
Bamo (Kyet-yo) ... 
104 
10 
16 
Nine localities where galena occurs are marked in the sketch map of Martaban by 
Mr. O’Riley, ranged generally on a north-north-west line of bearing, coinciding with the 
general direction of the hill ranges, and extending over a line of country some 90 miles in 
length. Mr. O’Riley describes the ore as occurring in the mountain-limestone formation 
of the district, which is that also to which the magnificent and picturesque limestone hills 
near Moulmein, and along the Salween belong, hut he does not say if the ore occurs dis¬ 
seminated in the rock, or in the form of a true mineral vein or lode. Prom what I have 
remarked on the north-east of Tounghoo, at the spot whence Major Lloyd procured his 
galena, I am inclined to think that it may occur on both ways, as it is there rather doubtful 
if there is a true vein, whilst on the Salween valley, the accounts would certainly suggest 
the existence of lodes. 
I am sorry I cannot give any account of the attempts which have been made by private 
parties to work tbe lead and silver of Martaban, but mncli reticence is naturally observed 
on suob a subject, either from a feeling of distrust or of vexation at tbe unfortunate results 
of crude attempts and hasty speculation. Nothing that has as yet been done, however, can 
be considered as conclusive either for or against the practicability of bringing these ores 
into the market. At present the wild state of the country seems to me the main obstacle 
to arriving at a satisfactory conclusion on this subject, from the sparseness of population 
and consequent inability for any one to properly scrutinize these impenetrably clad bills. 
Coppee.— Four specimens of copper ore were procured by M. O’Riley, three of them 
from the same localities as the galena, one of them from the hills east of the Sittoung 
River, and all consisting of “the ordinary copper pyrites, both arsenical and combined with 
sulphur aud iron.” I have not myself been so fortunate as to procure any undoubtedly 
Martaban copper ore, save pieces brought to me exhibiting traces of that metal in the form 
of green carbonate associated with iron or lead ore, to the extent, and no more, of implying 
the presence ot a small portion of the more valuable metal in the mass. Not far from Moul¬ 
mein on the Ataran River, I have seen heaps of slag which some believed to be old copper 
workings ; but an analysis shows that the slag does not contain so much as a trace of copper, and 
indicates njerely the former presence of iron works, abandoned before the memory ot the 
existing inhabitants. 
An extremely interesting specimen of copper ore of a somewhat novel composition was 
procured by M. O’Riley from some spot on the Yoonzalin River, said to be accessible for boats. 
