136 APPENDIX.
in conceding that in the above supposition there is a sufficient explanation for the origin of the whole story.
It
may be added that this propitiation of malefiant spirits was, and is,
by no means limited to mining operations connected with diamonds. In
the "Journal of the Asiatic Society of Bengal"* will be found an
account of one of the richest gold-bearing tracts in Assam, which had
been deserted by the indigenous gold-washers in consequence of the
expense connected with the propitiation of the evil spirits who guarded
the mineral treasures being greater than they could afford to pay.
Having
mentioned the Assam washings here, I avail myself of the opportunity of
saying that a statement recently made,f that they yielded annually
40,000 ounces of gold is, I believe, due to some mistake. The earliest
record I know of mentions a gold revenue enjoyed by the Kings of Assam
which amounted to 40,000 rupees worth, not ounces !
* Vol. xxii. p. 511. + " Jour. Soc. of Arts," vol. xxix. p. 244.
