743 MINERAL PRODUCTION* OP THE TENASSERIM PROVINCES. 
inferred therefore that by means of a properly built lime kiln and 
effective management, the article could be laid down in Maulmain 
at a rate that would offer a chance of profitable return as an article 
of exportation to Bengal. 
Marble. 
In the mountain masses above noticed the prevailing texture of 
the rock is that of a fine grained compact stone of a varying grey 
color, intersected with fissures filled with a pure white carbonate 
of lime j and in the underlying masses several shades of red and 
an almost pure white, or that known as Saecharoid marble, are 
found, the latter being in extensive use with the Burmese in the 
manufacture of ear ornaments and small images of Gaudamah. 
Many of these limestones are capable of receiving a high degree of 
polish, and were a demand created for the article, there is every 
reason to expect that an exploration of these deposits would lead 
to the discovery of some of the rarer kinds of marble which are 
so valuable at home for ornamental purposes. 
Alabaster 
Of an inferior quality is found in the stalactite formations of 
the limestone caves, and is employed by the Burmese for the 
purposes already stated. Whether either this article or the equally 
abundant one of the stalagmitic deposits of the same localities 
will ultimately be found worth attention, must for the present remain 
a matter of speculation, to be determined by one of those happy 
accidents that occasionally occur to bring to light some long 
neglected source of dormant wealth. 
