45'2 COMMERCIAL DESCRIPTION OF Bancavvasno less than 05,000 piculs, or S870ton5?, being nearly the same as that of the mines of Cornwall at present. Previous to the discovery of the mines of Banca, the principal portion of the tin of the Arcliipelago was obtained on the west coast of the Malayan Peninsula. * The geological formation of the island of Banca is chieRy prima }'!/ rock. The principal mountains are of granite ; and those of inferior elevation of red iron-stone. In the low tracts between these, the tin ore is found, and hitherto always in alluvial depo- sites, seldom further than £'5 feet from the surface. The strata in which it is found are always in a ho- rizontal direction ; and the following is an example of their nature and composition : Vegetable mould, - - 1} feet. Black clay, - - 8 Grey clay intermixed with sand, - 4 Black clay, - - 6 Coarse sand, of semi-transparent co- lour, bedded in pure white clay, G ^25h
- " The country," says Hamilton, speaking of Perali,
" produces more tin than any in India ;" and again he adds, " there are several places along the coast of Malaya that produce gre;<X quantities of tin ; but Salangore and Parce- lore are the most noted." — Nexv Account of ihe East Indies, p. 73, 74.
