ÖÖI 8x 3 ^c- 0 - Acehbooks.org

Tin.
Sulphur.
Saltpeter.
-Coal.
Chryftal.
Hot Springs.
Earth Oil.
Soft Rock.
21 U M A T R A.
nefs that has never been 'imitated in Europe. Tin, called by the French
writers Colin, is one of the principal export commodities of the ifland.
The country where it chiefly abounds, is in the neighbourhood of Palembang
on the eaft coaft, but in many other parts the natives point out
its exiftence, and particularly about Pedattee near Bencoolcn. Sulphur
is gathered in any quantity about the numerous volcanos. Saltpetre
the natives procure, by a procefs of their own, from the earth which is
found impregnated with it; chiefly in extenfive caves that have been
from the beginning of time, the haunt of a certain fpecies of birds,
of whofe dung the foil is formed. Coal, moftly waflied down by the
floods, is collected in feveral parts, particularly at Cattown, Ayerrammee
and Bencoolen. It is light, and not efteemed very good, but I am informed
that this is the cafe with all coal found near the furface of the
earth. The veins are obferved to run, not in an horizontal, but in an
inclined direction, and till the pits have fome depth, the foflil is of an
indifferent quality. The little ifland of Poolo Pifang, clofe to the foot
•of Mount Poogong, is chiefly a bed of rock chryftal. Mineral and
hot fprings have been difcovered in many diftri&s. In tafte the waters
moftly remble thofe of Harrowgate, being naufeous to the palate. The
oleum terra?, or earth oil, ufed chiefly as a prefervative againft the deftructive
ravages of the white ants, is collected at Ippoe and elfewhere»*
There is no fpecies of hard rock to be met within the low parts of the
ifland, near the fea fhore. Befides the ledges of coral, which are covered
by the tide, that which generally prevails is the nappal, as it is
called by the inhabitants, forming the bafis of the red cliffs, and not
unfrequently the beds of the rivers. Though this nappal has the appearance
of rock, it poffefles in fadt fo little folidity, that it is difficult to
pronounce whether it be a foft ftone or only an indurated clay. The
furface of it becomes fmooth and glofly by a flight attrition, and to the
touch refembles foap, which is its moftftfiking characteriftic. Except
thofe parts of it, wljich by long expofure to the air, have acquired a greater
!. i
ti The fountain of Naptha or liquid balfam, found at Pedir, fo much celebrated by the Por-
•Wguefe writers, is doubtlefs this oleum terra, or menia tcmna, as it is called by the Malays.
degree