Page:History of the Indian Archipelago Vol 3.djvu/489

 ARTICLES OF EXPORTATION. 'VJS by no other means than by buckets and manual labour. The ore is separated from its matrix, usually quartz, by pounding and washing. Mr Marsden tells us, that it is estimated that there are no less than 1^00 of these i>etty mines in the territory of Menangkabao alone. The fertility of these mineral beds is sufficiently prored by the cir- cumstance of their being wrought at all by such rude and imperfect means. The practice of mining for gold from alluvial deposites is pursued by both natives and Chinese ; but systematically, skilfully, and effectually, as to production, only by the latter. The economy of the Chinese mining operations, on account of their extent and importance to commerce, deserve a particular description. The seat of them is Borneo, and of that island principally the territory on its west coast, situated towards the mountains, and ly- ing between the rivers of Pontianak and Sambas. The country is usually denominated Montradak, from the name of the principal town or vilhige, which is situated about two days* journey, or ra- ther voyage, as it is an inland navigation, from the coast. The whole tract is alluvial, and channelled by the beds of numerous rivers, some of them of great size. My information respecting the econo- my of the mines is principally from personal com- munication with Chinese who were for years en- gaged in them. The whole Chinejse population of