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GOLD IN CEYLON.
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scraped
out carefully with a " pick-axe" or knife, as being likely to contain
the most gold. The deposit of the metal in these localities, and the
effects of washing for it, depend upon the great specific gravity or
weight of gold. From the agitation of the water in rivers, it sinks to
the lowest point—through quartz gravel, etc., and lies upon the
bed-rock; and when the gravel is agitated in the "Tom" and the
receiving trough below, the gold in like manner finds its way to the
bottom. So also when the residuum sand is taken in a tin dish (or
cradle elsewhere) the gold and magnetic iron ore (black sand) fall to
the bottom and allow the gravel to be thrown out. The yellow mica,
which coexists in large quantities, being very light, is among the
first to be washed away; whilst the black iron ore being of the
greatest weight, next to the gold, remains with it to the last. Indeed,
so difficult is it to separate these two by washing in a tin dish (the
proper method being to mix them with quicksilver, which forms an
amalgam with gold), that considerable quantities of the precious metal
were manifestly lost in the experiments we witnessed.
The dam is not intended, as is generally supposed, to drain the bed of the river, but merely to gain
a head of water to pass along the hose and " Tom" for the purpose of
washing. The men say that this will not only save them the labour of
bailing up water, but be more efficient by affording a constant and
steady stream. When the rains flood the river, they intend to
"prospect" the adjoining high land, their hose furnishing them with the
requisite supply of water.
Notwithstanding
the absurd Government Proclamation, which sensible people will snap
their fingers at, we hope all intelligent persons who have time to
spare, will at once proceed to the spot and take practical
lessons in gold washing, and then return to their several places and go
" prospecting," for which they require only a tin dish and a mamotie.
To aid young men in their search, we shall in our next give the most
recent information regarding gold finding in other countries. In the
meantime we may explain that the diggings may be best reached by
parties from Colombo going 31 1/2 miles on the Kandy road, when a walk
through - the paddy-fields (now, however, dry and rideable) of about 4
miles will ta"ke them to the spot. Persons coming from Kandy had belter
start on the walk from Ambepusse, which is about the same distance from
"Bradley's diggings." For the information of strangers we may mention
that the site of the diggings is at a spot as nearly as possible
equi-distant from the maritime and mountain capitals of the
island—Colombo and Kandy; being within an easy distance of the splendid
road formed -by Sir Edward Barnes, which laid tiie foundation of the
coffee cultivation and commercial prosperity of the island, and on
which continues to run daily the first line of mail coaches started in
India. Just half way on this road, close to the 36th mile-stone, and
little more than 3 miles from the diggings, is the excellent resthouse
of Ambepusse, where supplies of every kind can be obtained. Exposure,
however, should be avoided, for this beautiful valley of Ambepussa has
the reputation of being one of the dead-' liest spots in Ceylon. The
fertility of an existing plantain garden has been attributed to the
fact that a whole company of British soldiers perished here from fever.
But so it used to be in most parts of the interior until the climate
was understood and proper precautions observed. We append a copy of the
chemical analysis of one of the first portions of stuff sent to
Government:—
Dr. Ellery's Analysis.
The
specimen taken for examination weighing 7^ grains, consisted of some
small pieces of yellowish quartz, a black powder resembling coarse
emery, and several small scales of a yellow metallic-looking substance.
The application of a magnet separated about J of the black powder
which consisted of magnetic iron ore. One-half of the residue was acted
upon by boiling nitric acid without effect; the addition of muriatic
acid dissolved the metal, yielding a golden yellow solution. This, on the addition of the subjoined tests afforded the following results:—
No. 1.—Chloride of tin, gave a copious, deep purple precipitate.
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