MINERALOGICAL DESCRIPTION OF THE ISLAND OF BANKA. 427 
were very similar to those of the western peninsula of this division 
of the island. This similarity was displayed, not only in the arrange¬ 
ment of the strata, but particularly in their relative proximity to the 
surface: it likewise appeared in the constitution of the more fixed 
parts of the island. Various circumstances did not permit me, in 
this part of the island, to extend my reseaches to the range of cen¬ 
tral hills; but the promontories which descend from them towards 
the west and form Tanjong Mantung (which J passed in proceeding 
to the mines of Belinyu) as well as extensive districts in the neigh¬ 
bourhood, are covered with large piles of granite rocks. Numerous 
veins of Red-Iron-stone have been discovered below the surface at 
the mines of Belinyu, and in the vicinity of Lumut we meet exten¬ 
sive hills, composed of them, and which are in immediate conjunc¬ 
tion with the alluvial plains above mentioned bounding the Bay of 
Klabbet. 
The northern portion of this peninsula up to point Tanjong Tddd 
is completely unknown; nor can I say any thing from personal ob¬ 
servation of that tract which bounds the central range of hill in the 
east, extending from point Tanjong Tuwing to the confines of Sung- 
ie-liat; but the information I obtained from various natives at Be¬ 
linyu and Lumut tends to shew that many portions of it are stratifi¬ 
ed like the districts of the mines on the west side of the range of 
hills : and from trials made during my residence on Banka, it ap¬ 
peared that these strata contain a sufficient quantity of the ore of tin 
to encourage an attempt for extracting it. The district of Mapur 
is in this situation, and it is followed in the south by that of Dsheni- 
ang, in which mines are at present worked that are under the super¬ 
intendence of Sungie-iiat. As to the districts of Belinyu and Lumut, 
it is proved by the daily trials at present instituted to obtain produc¬ 
tive situations, that the richest strata have been exhausted in the 
course of above 40 years successive mining. 
(To be continued) 
