| | FROM THE ARKA-TAGH TO THE GOLD-MINES OF TOGHRI-SAJ. 185 may observe in the face of the hard granite one, two, or even three shelves or steps, indicating former levels of the bed of the torrent, which have been more or less loaded with débris produced by subsequent weathering above, and in this débris also kans are dug (fig. 146). When the deposit of débris rests directly upon the bare rock, the miner has to dig right through it, and then most likely finds the gold at the very bottom. All the coarser material is removed simply by hand, being flung up on to the surrounding heap of rubbish, though spades and pickaxes are also employed. The yield is said however to be rather poor, and it is seldom that the miner earns enough to repay him for his trouble. Professional miners are accustomed to visit the mines of both Toghri-saj and Bokalik during the course of the same summer. If the results at the one place prove disappointing, better luck is hoped for at the other. Htdin, 7oarnty in Central Asia. Ill. 24 |
IIIF Color HighRes
