336 
Towards the east of Mount Hiela, are rivulets so 
strongly impregnated with sulphur, that the waters 
are white with it, and both the smell and taste cor¬ 
respond thereto. In Manghasia a spring is found 
which produces that species of pitch called Pis-asphal- 
tum, or Bitumen Judaicum . 
There is also a fountain on the top of a mountain 
at Dombulombe, whose water is impregnated with 
copperas so strongly that it is highly poisonous. 
Several hot springs are found in different parts, 
possessing medicinal qualities; and chalybeate waters 
are common on almost every mountain. 
A great variety of precious stones are found in the 
rivers and brooks of Madagascar, such as crystals, 
topazes, granates, amethysts, eagle-stones, emeralds, 
sapphires, hyacinths, jaspers, blood-stones, (called by 
the natives Rhahamanga), cornelians, and touchstones. 
The native goldsmiths manufacture these into various 
ornaments. Large masses of rock crystal are found 
in the provinces of Mananhar, and on the Ambohits- 
mena, some of which contain shirls, fossils, and other 
extraneous bodies of value. 
