Gazetteer of Upper Burma and the Shan States Volume 2, PT. 1 (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1900 Excerpt: ...of 'the mines, which he then intended to work with imported labour from 'Singapore.' The result was that he was attacked in December 1887 and received wounds, of which he afterwards died. Subject to the geological conditions indicated by Dr. Noetling as quoted above, the jade-producing country may be described as lying between the twenty-fifth and twenty-sixth parallels of latitude and enclosed east and west by the Uyu and Chindwin rivers. Small quantities of jade have been found at one time or another over all this tract. The names of the quarries most celebrated in times past for the excellence of their output are Hsima, Masa, Mopang, and Tamukan. They have all ceased to yield jade except in minute quantities, and are now termed the "old mines," Sanka being the latest name added to the list. Jade crops out at few points beyond the area thus described. At Mawhun, one day's march on the road from Mohnyin to Katha, there is an old quarry which was formerly very rich. The Chinese also speak of a place called Nantelung, meaning " difficult of access," or the ' unapproachable place," as producing jade of remarkable brilliancy and value. "It is described as a large cliff overhanging the Chindwin, or a branch of that river, and distant eight or "nine days' journey by boat from the confluence of the Uyu and "Chindwin, the country passed through being very malarious and "infested with wild animals and savage tribes. The stone can "only be obtained by swarming up the face of the cliff with the aid "of ropes and dislodging small portions with a hammer. The "water underneath is deep and the stone is thrown down into boats "specially strengthened by a double platform of bamboo erected "across the dec...