A portion of sand or clay (for the gold is sometimes found in a
brown-coloured clay) is put into a large calabash and mixed with a
sufficient quantity of water.
The woman whose office it is, then
shakes the calabash in such a manner as to mix the sand and water
together, and give the whole a rotatory motion - at first gently, but
afterwards more quickly, until a small portion of sand and water, at
every revolution, flies over the brim of the calabash. The sand
thus separated is only the coarsest particles mixed with a little
muddy water. After the operation has been continued for some time,
the sand is allowed to subside, and the water poured off; a portion
of coarse sand, which is now uppermost in the calabash, is removed
by the hand, and, fresh water being added, the operation is repeated
until the water comes off almost pure. The woman now takes a second
calabash, and shakes the sand and water gently from the one to the
other, reserving that portion of sand which is next the bottom of
the calabash, and which is most likely to contain the gold. This
small quantity is mixed with some pure water, and, being moved about
in the calabash, is carefully examined. If a few particles of gold
are picked out, the contents of the other calabash are examined in
the same manner, but in general the party is well contented if she
can obtain three or four grains from the contents of both
calabashes.
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