s 
AN© THE ECONOMY OF THE MINES, 813 
It may be remarked however that in the eastern parts of the is¬ 
land through the districts of Sungie-liat, Maraw&ng, Pangk&l-pi- 
nang &c. the strata are in general near the suiface, and in extensive 
plains : here the mining is undertaken in a more regular manner 
than is customony in small mines and often by parties of miners 
united in fellowship. 
The whole contents of the stratum containing the ore being ac¬ 
cumulated, they are subjected to the process of washing . For this 
purpose the most convenient aqueduct is employed : it is carefully 
lined with the bark of large trees and a stronger current is produced 
by directing into it a copious supply of water, or by causing a gentle 
inclination. The contents of the stratum are thrown in, in divided 
quantities, and agitated in the usual manner by the workmen, with 
a hoe. The particles of ore subside by means of their gravity, the 
earth is carried away by the current, and the fragments of stone are 
separated by small baskets and sieves and thrown on the side of the 
canal. These afforded me in many instances an instructive oppor¬ 
tunity of noticing the component parts of the strata and of collecting 
descriptive specimens. The purified ore which is collected from 
time to time is stored in a shed erected for the purpose in a conve¬ 
nient situation. 
A sufficient quantity of ore having accumulated it is refined or 
smelted ; in favourable seasons this process is performed twice annu¬ 
ally, in common seasons once. The space between the months of 
February and April is generally devoted to this purpose. 
The process of smelting is performed in a spacious open shed 
about 75 feet long, 35 feet broad and in the middle 24 feet high. 
The upper portion of the roof is separated from the lower by an in¬ 
tervening opening of about 2 feet, to prevent ignition : the roof is 
inclining. The shed is constructed of rough materials without any 
art or ornament. 
Each building contains a sufficient space to carry on two separate 
operations. The central portion is occupied by the furnaces and 
ventilators, while the extremities in each direction are devoted to 
the workmen and to the various requisites in the business of smelt¬ 
ing. Here the ore is placed in readiness, the coals are arranged, and 
the implements collected before the operation is commenced. That 
portion of the floor of the building which corresponds to the two 
furnaces, is somewhat wider than the extremities, and elevated to a 
proportionate height, to enable the workmen to set the ventilators 
it 3 
