MINERALS

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from the sonwals or gold washers of Assam before we
took possession. The ultimate source is probably to be
found in crystalline rocks which occur on the upper
reaches of the Brahmaputra, The Brahmaputra, as we
know, rises in Tibet, a country which has been known
for ages to possess extensive gold fields, about which at
present we have only the record of travellers who have
not been scientific prospectors. The immediate sources
of gold in the Brahmaputra of Assam are tertiary deposits
and the alluvial beds of rivers.
In Burma gold is found in the sands of the Irawadi at
Bhamo, and in the Chindwin River, where it is collected in
a primitive fashion by pegging out the skins of animals in
the stream. The minute gold particles carried down by
the current adhere to the hair. When the skin is dried,
the gold is shaken out of it and collected. This is a
system entirely suited to the indolent character of the Indo-Chinese
 races. An automatic process of gold accumulation,
involving no labour, would appeal so strongly to their idiosyncrasies
 that it is surprising that they should adopt any
other process. They do, however, work for gold as
well. Much gold is used in Burma in temple decorations,
but most of it is imported.
The ancient gold industry of Tenasserim has lately
been revived, and at the head of the Tavay River, where
gold is found associated with the tin, washing on the
Portuguese system has been introduced, and mines are
being opened which promise fairly well.
Some indication of the economic value of the gold
industry in India may perhaps be gathered from the fact
that the exportation of gold in 1897 amounted in value to
a little over two millions sterling. In 1896 it was nearly
two million and a half, and in 1895 (the record year) it
was no less than £6,700,000.
Something must be added about the diamonds and
rubies of India and Burma which have assisted to enhance
the fame of eastern wealth through past ages, though perhaps
 they do not promise in future to add much further
lustre to this brightest jewel of England’s crown.”