PRODUCE 
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of gold mines in the west. A large establishment in 
Suberbieville, above Majunga, has been at work for a 
considerable time and has yielded favourable results. 
The auriferous rocks extend over a belt 30 miles broad 
and 60 miles long. Under the new conditions other 
deposits of gold in the interior will probably be attacked 
in the near future. The presence of silver, copper and 
zinc has been observed in various places. The wealth 
of the island in iron is very great, especially in Imerina, 
Betsileo-land and in the southern and middle parts of 
Sakalava-land. The natives have long practised the art 
of working iron ore, and they produce bars of pure iron, 
which is worked up by the native smiths into different 
useful articles. 
Deposits of coal have been discovered in the north¬ 
west of the island, at the Bay of Passandava. The coal 
burns easily with a white flame and little ash. A certain 
d’Arvoy attempted to work these beds in 1856, but was 
forbidden by the Hova troops. It would be interesting 
to obtain authentic information as to the thickness of these 
coal strata, because the geological construction of Mada¬ 
gascar would scarcely lead one to expect extensive 
deposits of coal. 
Slabs of gneiss for the Hova graves are obtained 
from the quarries, and for this a singular proceeding is 
adopted. Cow-dung is spread out on the stratified rock 
and is set on fire. After the rock has been heated for 
a long time, sudden cooling causes large pieces to detach 
themselves, and these are then carried by men to their 
destination. The burnt lime that they use in the 
interior is obtained from the deposits of lime in Antsi- 
rabe. On the coast they obtain it from blocks of coral. 
Industry is on the whole but little developed in 
Madagascar. It is only in the Hova region that, under 
European influence, it has reached a somewhat higher 
level. First and foremost we may place the produce 
