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| ]><archimedes> <info> <author>Agricola, Georgius</author> <title>De re metallica</title> <date>1912</date> <place>London</place> <editor></editor> <publisher></publisher> <translator></translator> <lang>en</lang> <chunk unit="page*">page</chunk><locator>0000000002</locator> </info> <text> <front> </front> <body> <chap> <pb/><p type="head"> | ]><archimedes> <info> <author>Agricola, Georgius</author> <title>De re metallica</title> <date>1912</date> |
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| | <place>London</place> <editor></editor> <publisher></publisher> <translator></translator> <lang>en</lang> <chunk unit="page*">page</chunk><locator>0000000002</locator> </info> <text> <front> </front> <body> <chap> <pb/><p type="head"> |
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| <s>GEORGIUS AGRICOLA</s></p><p type="head"> | <s>GEORGIUS AGRICOLA</s></p><p type="head"> |
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| <s>Except for a very small number, we <lb/>believe we have been able to discover the intended meaning of such <lb/>expressions from a study of the context, assisted by a very incomplete <lb/>glossary prepared by the author himself, and by an exhaustive investigation <lb/>into the literature of these subjects during the sixteenth and seventeenth <lb/>centuries. </s> | <s>Except for a very small number, we <lb/>believe we have been able to discover the intended meaning of such <lb/>expressions from a study of the context, assisted by a very incomplete <lb/>glossary prepared by the author himself, and by an exhaustive investigation <lb/>into the literature of these subjects during the sixteenth and seventeenth <lb/>centuries. </s> |
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| <s>That discovery in this particular has been only gradual and <lb/>obtained after much labour, may be indicated by the fact that the entire <lb/>text has been re-typewritten three times since the original, and some <lb/>parts more often; and further, that the printer's proof has been thrice revised. <lb/>We have found some English equivalent, more or less satisfactory, for <lb/>practically all such terms, except those of weights, the varieties of veins, <lb/>and a few minerals. </s> | <s>That discovery in this particular has been only gradual and <lb/>obtained after much labour, may be indicated by the fact that the entire <lb/>text has been re-typewritten three times since the original, and some <lb/>parts more often; and further, that the printer's proof has been thrice revised. <lb/></s> |
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| | <s>We have found some English equivalent, more or less satisfactory, for <lb/>practically all such terms, except those of weights, the varieties of veins, <lb/>and a few minerals. </s> |
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| <s>In the matter of weights we have introduced the <lb/>original Latin, because it is impossible to give true equivalents and avoid the <lb/>fractions of reduction; and further, as explained in the Appendix on Weights it <lb/>is impossible to say in many cases what scale the Author had in mind. </s> | <s>In the matter of weights we have introduced the <lb/>original Latin, because it is impossible to give true equivalents and avoid the <lb/>fractions of reduction; and further, as explained in the Appendix on Weights it <lb/>is impossible to say in many cases what scale the Author had in mind. </s> |
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| <s>It is <lb/>unfortunate that Agricola's own countrymen have not given to the world <lb/>competent translations into German, as his work has too often been judged <lb/>by the German translations, the infidelity of which appears in nearly every <lb/>paragraph.</s></p><p type="main"> | <s>It is <lb/>unfortunate that Agricola's own countrymen have not given to the world <lb/>competent translations into German, as his work has too often been judged <lb/>by the German translations, the infidelity of which appears in nearly every <lb/>paragraph.</s></p><p type="main"> |
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| <s>We do not present <emph type="italics"/>De Re Metallíca<emph.end type="italics"/> as a work of “practical” value. <lb/>The methods and processes have long since been superseded; yet surely such <lb/>a milestone on the road of development of one of the two most basic of human <lb/>industrial activities is more worthy of preservation than the thousands of <lb/>volumes devoted to records of human destruction. </s> | <s>We do not present <emph type="italics"/>De Re Metallíca<emph.end type="italics"/> as a work of “practical” value. <lb/></s> |
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| | <s>The methods and processes have long since been superseded; yet surely such <lb/>a milestone on the road of development of one of the two most basic of human <lb/>industrial activities is more worthy of preservation than the thousands of <lb/>volumes devoted to records of human destruction. </s> |
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| <s>To those interested in <lb/>the history of their own profession we need make no apologies, except <lb/>for the long delay in publication. </s> | <s>To those interested in <lb/>the history of their own profession we need make no apologies, except <lb/>for the long delay in publication. </s> |
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| <s>Thus these two foremost explorers had only initiated <lb/>that greatest period of geographical expansion in the world's history. </s> | <s>Thus these two foremost explorers had only initiated <lb/>that greatest period of geographical expansion in the world's history. </s> |
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| <s>A few <lb/>dates will recall how far this exploration extended during Agricola's lifetime. <lb/>Balboa first saw the Pacific in 1513; Cortes entered the City of Mexico in <lb/>1520; Magellan entered the Pacific in the same year; Pizarro penetrated <lb/>into Peru in 1528; De Soto landed in Florida in 1539, and Potosi was dis­<lb/>covered in 1546. Omitting the sporadic settlement on the St. </s> | <s>A few <lb/>dates will recall how far this exploration extended during Agricola's lifetime. <lb/></s> |
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| | <s>Balboa first saw the Pacific in 1513; Cortes entered the City of Mexico in <lb/>1520; Magellan entered the Pacific in the same year; Pizarro penetrated <lb/>into Peru in 1528; De Soto landed in Florida in 1539, and Potosi was dis­<lb/>covered in 1546. Omitting the sporadic settlement on the St. </s> |
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| <s>Lawrence by <lb/>Cartier in 1541, the settlement of North America did not begin for a quarter <lb/>of a century after Agricola's death. </s> | <s>Lawrence by <lb/>Cartier in 1541, the settlement of North America did not begin for a quarter <lb/>of a century after Agricola's death. </s> |
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| <s>His <lb/>real name was Georg Bauer (“peasant”), and it was probably Latinized by <lb/>his teachers, as was the custom of the time. </s> | <s>His <lb/>real name was Georg Bauer (“peasant”), and it was probably Latinized by <lb/>his teachers, as was the custom of the time. </s> |
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| <s>His own brother, in receipts <pb pagenum="vi"/>preserved in the archives of the Zwickau Town Council, calls himself “Bauer,” <lb/>and in them refers to his brother “Agricola.” He entered the University of <lb/>Leipsic at the age of twenty, and after about three and one-half years' attendance <lb/>there gained the degree of <emph type="italics"/>Baccalaureus Artíum.<emph.end type="italics"/> In 1518 he became Vice­<lb/>Principal of the Municipal School at Zwickau, where he taught Greek and Latin. <lb/>In 1520 he became Principal, and among his assistants was Johannes Förster, <lb/>better known as Luther's collaborator in the translation of the Bible. </s> | <s>His own brother, in receipts <pb pagenum="vi"/>preserved in the archives of the Zwickau Town Council, calls himself “Bauer,” <lb/>and in them refers to his brother “Agricola.” He entered the University of <lb/>Leipsic at the age of twenty, and after about three and one-half years' attendance <lb/>there gained the degree of <emph type="italics"/>Baccalaureus Artíum.<emph.end type="italics"/> In 1518 he became Vice­<lb/>Principal of the Municipal School at Zwickau, where he taught Greek and Latin. <lb/></s> |
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| | <s>In 1520 he became Principal, and among his assistants was Johannes Förster, <lb/>better known as Luther's collaborator in the translation of the Bible. </s> |
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| <s>During <lb/>this time our author prepared and published a small Latin Grammar<emph type="sup"/>2<emph.end type="sup"/>. </s> | <s>During <lb/>this time our author prepared and published a small Latin Grammar<emph type="sup"/>2<emph.end type="sup"/>. </s> |
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| <s>In <lb/>1522 he removed to Leipsic to become a lecturer in the University under his <lb/>friend, Petrus Mosellanus, at whose death in 1524 he went to Italy for the <lb/>further study of Philosophy, Medicine, and the Natural Sciences. </s> | <s>In <lb/>1522 he removed to Leipsic to become a lecturer in the University under his <lb/>friend, Petrus Mosellanus, at whose death in 1524 he went to Italy for the <lb/>further study of Philosophy, Medicine, and the Natural Sciences. </s> |
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| <s>Here he <lb/>remained for nearly three years, from 1524 to 1526. He visited the Universities <lb/>of Bologna, Venice, and probably Padua, and at these institutions received <lb/>his first inspiration to work in the sciences, for in a letter<emph type="sup"/>3<emph.end type="sup"/> from Leonardus <lb/>Casibrotius to Erasmus we learn that he was engaged upon a revision of Galen. <lb/>It was about this time that he made the acquaintance of Erasmus, who had <lb/>settled at Basel as Editor for Froben's press.</s></p><p type="main"> | <s>Here he <lb/>remained for nearly three years, from 1524 to 1526. He visited the Universities <lb/>of Bologna, Venice, and probably Padua, and at these institutions received <lb/>his first inspiration to work in the sciences, for in a letter<emph type="sup"/>3<emph.end type="sup"/> from Leonardus <lb/>Casibrotius to Erasmus we learn that he was engaged upon a revision of Galen. <lb/></s> |
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| | <s>It was about this time that he made the acquaintance of Erasmus, who had <lb/>settled at Basel as Editor for Froben's press.</s></p><p type="main"> |
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| <s>In 1526 Agricola returned to Zwickau, and in 1527 he was chosen town <lb/>physician at Joachimsthal. </s> | <s>In 1526 Agricola returned to Zwickau, and in 1527 he was chosen town <lb/>physician at Joachimsthal. </s> |
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| <s>This little city in Bohemia is located on the <lb/>eastern slope of the Erzgebirge, in the midst of the then most prolific metal­<lb/>mining district of Central Europe. </s> | <s>This little city in Bohemia is located on the <lb/>eastern slope of the Erzgebirge, in the midst of the then most prolific metal­<lb/>mining district of Central Europe. </s> |
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| <s>Thence to Freiberg is but fifty miles, <lb/>and the same radius from that city would include most of the mining towns <lb/>so frequently mentioned in <emph type="italics"/>De Re Metallíca<emph.end type="italics"/>—Schneeberg, Geyer, Annaberg <lb/>and Altenberg—and not far away were Marienberg, Gottesgab, and Platten. <lb/>Joachimsthal was a booming mining camp, founded but eleven years before <lb/>Agricola's arrival, and already having several thousand inhabitants. </s> | <s>Thence to Freiberg is but fifty miles, <lb/>and the same radius from that city would include most of the mining towns <lb/>so frequently mentioned in <emph type="italics"/>De Re Metallíca<emph.end type="italics"/>—Schneeberg, Geyer, Annaberg <lb/>and Altenberg—and not far away were Marienberg, Gottesgab, and Platten. <lb/></s> |
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| | <s>Joachimsthal was a booming mining camp, founded but eleven years before <lb/>Agricola's arrival, and already having several thousand inhabitants. </s> |
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| <s>Accord­<lb/>ing to Agricola's own statement<emph type="sup"/>4<emph.end type="sup"/>, he spent all the time not required for his <lb/>medical duties in visiting the mines and smelters, in reading up in the Greek and <lb/>Latin authors all references to mining, and in association with the most learned <lb/>among the mining folk. </s> | <s>Accord­<lb/>ing to Agricola's own statement<emph type="sup"/>4<emph.end type="sup"/>, he spent all the time not required for his <lb/>medical duties in visiting the mines and smelters, in reading up in the Greek and <lb/>Latin authors all references to mining, and in association with the most learned <lb/>among the mining folk. </s> |
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| <s>About 1533 he became city physician of Chemnitz, in <lb/>Saxony, and here he resided until his death in 1555. There is but little <lb/>record of his activities during the first eight or nine years of his residence in <lb/>this city. </s> | <s>About 1533 he became city physician of Chemnitz, in <lb/>Saxony, and here he resided until his death in 1555. There is but little <lb/>record of his activities during the first eight or nine years of his residence in <lb/>this city. </s> |
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| <s>He must have been engaged upon the study of his subjects and <lb/>the preparation of his books, for they came on with great rapidity soon after. <lb/>He was frequently consulted on matters of mining engineering, as, for instance, <lb/>we learn, from a letter written by a certain Johannes Hordeborch<emph type="sup"/>7<emph.end type="sup"/>, that <lb/>Duke Henry of Brunswick applied to him with regard to the method for <lb/>working mines in the Upper Harz.</s></p><p type="main"> | <s>He must have been engaged upon the study of his subjects and <lb/>the preparation of his books, for they came on with great rapidity soon after. <lb/></s> |
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| | <s>He was frequently consulted on matters of mining engineering, as, for instance, <lb/>we learn, from a letter written by a certain Johannes Hordeborch<emph type="sup"/>7<emph.end type="sup"/>, that <lb/>Duke Henry of Brunswick applied to him with regard to the method for <lb/>working mines in the Upper Harz.</s></p><p type="main"> |
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| <s>In 1543 he married Anna, widow of Matthias Meyner, a petty tithe <lb/>official; there is some reason to believe from a letter published by Schmid,<emph type="sup"/>8<emph.end type="sup"/><lb/>that Anna was his second wife, and that he was married the first time at <lb/>Joachimsthal. </s> | <s>In 1543 he married Anna, widow of Matthias Meyner, a petty tithe <lb/>official; there is some reason to believe from a letter published by Schmid,<emph type="sup"/>8<emph.end type="sup"/><lb/>that Anna was his second wife, and that he was married the first time at <lb/>Joachimsthal. </s> |
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| <s>As a young man, Agricola seems to have had some tendencies toward <lb/>liberalism in religious matters, for while at Zwickau he composed some anti­<lb/>Popish Epigrams; but after his return to Leipsic he apparently never wavered, <lb/>and steadily refused to accept the Lutheran Reformation. </s> | <s>As a young man, Agricola seems to have had some tendencies toward <lb/>liberalism in religious matters, for while at Zwickau he composed some anti­<lb/>Popish Epigrams; but after his return to Leipsic he apparently never wavered, <lb/>and steadily refused to accept the Lutheran Reformation. </s> |
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| <s>To many even <lb/>liberal scholars of the day, Luther's doctrines appeared wild and demagogic. <lb/>Luther was not a scholarly man; his addresses were to the masses; his Latin <lb/>was execrable. </s> | <s>To many even <lb/>liberal scholars of the day, Luther's doctrines appeared wild and demagogic. <lb/></s> |
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| | <s>Luther was not a scholarly man; his addresses were to the masses; his Latin <lb/>was execrable. </s> |
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| <s>Nor did the bitter dissensions over hair-splitting theology in <lb/>the Lutheran Church after Luther's death tend to increase respect for the <lb/>movement among the learned. </s> | <s>Nor did the bitter dissensions over hair-splitting theology in <lb/>the Lutheran Church after Luther's death tend to increase respect for the <lb/>movement among the learned. </s> |
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| <s>Saxony had been divided in 1485 between the Princes Ernest and Albert, <lb/>the former taking the Electoral dignity and the major portion of the Princi­<lb/>pality. </s> | <s>Saxony had been divided in 1485 between the Princes Ernest and Albert, <lb/>the former taking the Electoral dignity and the major portion of the Princi­<lb/>pality. </s> |
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| <s>Albert the Brave, the younger brother and Duke of Saxony, obtained <lb/>the subordinate portion, embracing Meissen, but subject to the Elector. <lb/>The Elector Ernest was succeeded in 1486 by Frederick the Wise, and under <pb pagenum="ix"/>his support Luther made Saxony the cradle of the Reformation. </s> | <s>Albert the Brave, the younger brother and Duke of Saxony, obtained <lb/>the subordinate portion, embracing Meissen, but subject to the Elector. <lb/></s> |
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| | <s>The Elector Ernest was succeeded in 1486 by Frederick the Wise, and under <pb pagenum="ix"/>his support Luther made Saxony the cradle of the Reformation. </s> |
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| <s>This <lb/>Elector was succeeded in 1525 by his brother John, who was in turn succeeded <lb/>by his son John Frederick in 1532. Of more immediate interest to this subject <lb/>is the Albertian line of Saxon Dukes who ruled Meissen, for in that Princi­<lb/>pality Agricola was born and lived, and his political fortunes were associated <lb/>with this branch of the Saxon House. </s> | <s>This <lb/>Elector was succeeded in 1525 by his brother John, who was in turn succeeded <lb/>by his son John Frederick in 1532. Of more immediate interest to this subject <lb/>is the Albertian line of Saxon Dukes who ruled Meissen, for in that Princi­<lb/>pality Agricola was born and lived, and his political fortunes were associated <lb/>with this branch of the Saxon House. </s> |
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| <s>Charles was elected, and intermittent wars <lb/>between these two Princes arose—first in one part of Europe, and then in <lb/>another. </s> | <s>Charles was elected, and intermittent wars <lb/>between these two Princes arose—first in one part of Europe, and then in <lb/>another. </s> |
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| <s>Francis finally formed an alliance with the Schmalkalden League <lb/>of German Protestant Princes, and with the Sultan of Turkey, against Charles. <lb/>In 1546 Maurice of Meissen, although a Protestant, saw his best interest in <lb/>a secret league with Charles against the other Protestant Princes, and pro­<lb/>ceeded (the Schmalkalden War) to invade the domains of his superior and <lb/>cousin, the Elector Frederick. </s> | <s>Francis finally formed an alliance with the Schmalkalden League <lb/>of German Protestant Princes, and with the Sultan of Turkey, against Charles. <lb/></s> |
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| | <s>In 1546 Maurice of Meissen, although a Protestant, saw his best interest in <lb/>a secret league with Charles against the other Protestant Princes, and pro­<lb/>ceeded (the Schmalkalden War) to invade the domains of his superior and <lb/>cousin, the Elector Frederick. </s> |
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| <s>The Emperor Charles proved successful in <lb/>this war, and Maurice was rewarded, at the Capitulation of Wittenberg in 1547, <lb/>by being made Elector of Saxony in the place of his cousin. </s> | <s>The Emperor Charles proved successful in <lb/>this war, and Maurice was rewarded, at the Capitulation of Wittenberg in 1547, <lb/>by being made Elector of Saxony in the place of his cousin. </s> |
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| <s>Later on, the <lb/>Elector Maurice found the association with Catholic Charles unpalatable, and <lb/>joined in leading the other Protestant princes in war upon him, and on the <lb/>defeat of the Catholic party and the peace of Passau, Maurice became <lb/>acknowledged as the champion of German national and religious freedom. <lb/>He was succeeded by his brother Augustus in 1553.</s></p><p type="main"> | <s>Later on, the <lb/>Elector Maurice found the association with Catholic Charles unpalatable, and <lb/>joined in leading the other Protestant princes in war upon him, and on the <lb/>defeat of the Catholic party and the peace of Passau, Maurice became <lb/>acknowledged as the champion of German national and religious freedom. <lb/></s> |
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| | <s>He was succeeded by his brother Augustus in 1553.</s></p><p type="main"> |
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| <s>Agricola was much favoured by the Saxon Electors, Maurice and <lb/>Augustus. </s> | <s>Agricola was much favoured by the Saxon Electors, Maurice and <lb/>Augustus. </s> |
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| <s>For that matter, except for the muddy current <lb/>which the alchemists had introduced into this already troubled stream, <lb/>the whole thought of the learned world still flowed from the Greeks. </s> | <s>For that matter, except for the muddy current <lb/>which the alchemists had introduced into this already troubled stream, <lb/>the whole thought of the learned world still flowed from the Greeks. </s> |
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| <s>Had he <lb/>not, however, radically departed from the teachings of the Peripatetic school, <lb/>his work would have been no contribution to the development of science. <lb/>Certain of their teachings he repudiated with great vigour, and his <lb/>laboured and detailed arguments in their refutation form the first battle in <lb/>science over the results of observation <emph type="italics"/>versus<emph.end type="italics"/> inductive speculation. </s> | <s>Had he <lb/>not, however, radically departed from the teachings of the Peripatetic school, <lb/>his work would have been no contribution to the development of science. <lb/></s> |
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| | <s>Certain of their teachings he repudiated with great vigour, and his <lb/>laboured and detailed arguments in their refutation form the first battle in <lb/>science over the results of observation <emph type="italics"/>versus<emph.end type="italics"/> inductive speculation. </s> |
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| <s>To use <lb/>his own words: “Those things which we see with our eyes and understand <lb/>by means of our senses are more clearly to be demonstrated than if learned <lb/>by means of reasoning.”<emph type="sup"/>15<emph.end type="sup"/> The bigoted scholasticism of his times necessi­<lb/>tated as much care and detail in refutation of such deep-rooted beliefs, as would <lb/>be demanded to-day by an attempt at a refutation of the theory of evolution, <lb/>and in consequence his works are often but dry reading to any but those <lb/>interested in the development of fundamental scientific theory.</s></p><p type="main"> | <s>To use <lb/>his own words: “Those things which we see with our eyes and understand <lb/>by means of our senses are more clearly to be demonstrated than if learned <lb/>by means of reasoning.”<emph type="sup"/>15<emph.end type="sup"/> The bigoted scholasticism of his times necessi­<lb/>tated as much care and detail in refutation of such deep-rooted beliefs, as would <lb/>be demanded to-day by an attempt at a refutation of the theory of evolution, <lb/>and in consequence his works are often but dry reading to any but those <lb/>interested in the development of fundamental scientific theory.</s></p><p type="main"> |
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| <s>His statements are sometimes much confused, but we reiterate that <pb pagenum="xiii"/>their clarity is as crystal to mud in comparison with those of his predecessors— <lb/>and of most of his successors for over two hundred years. </s> | <s>His statements are sometimes much confused, but we reiterate that <pb pagenum="xiii"/>their clarity is as crystal to mud in comparison with those of his predecessors— <lb/>and of most of his successors for over two hundred years. </s> |
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| <s>As an indication of <lb/>his grasp of some of the wider aspects of geological phenomena we reproduce, <lb/>in Appendix A, a passage from <emph type="italics"/>De Ortu et Causís,<emph.end type="italics"/> which we believe to be the <lb/>first adequate declaration of the part played by erosion in mountain sculpture. <lb/>But of all of Agricola's theoretical views those are of the greatest interest which <lb/>relate to the origin of ore deposits, for in these matters he had the greatest <lb/>opportunities of observation and the most experience. </s> | <s>As an indication of <lb/>his grasp of some of the wider aspects of geological phenomena we reproduce, <lb/>in Appendix A, a passage from <emph type="italics"/>De Ortu et Causís,<emph.end type="italics"/> which we believe to be the <lb/>first adequate declaration of the part played by erosion in mountain sculpture. <lb/></s> |
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| | <s>But of all of Agricola's theoretical views those are of the greatest interest which <lb/>relate to the origin of ore deposits, for in these matters he had the greatest <lb/>opportunities of observation and the most experience. </s> |
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| <s>We have on page 108 <lb/>reproduced and discussed his theory at considerable length, but we may repeat <lb/>here, that in his propositions as to the circulation of ground waters, that ore <lb/>channels are a subsequent creation to the contained rocks, and that they <lb/>were filled by deposition from circulating solutions, he enunciated the founda­<lb/>tions of our modern theory, and in so doing took a step in advance greater than <lb/>that of any single subsequent authority. </s> | <s>We have on page 108 <lb/>reproduced and discussed his theory at considerable length, but we may repeat <lb/>here, that in his propositions as to the circulation of ground waters, that ore <lb/>channels are a subsequent creation to the contained rocks, and that they <lb/>were filled by deposition from circulating solutions, he enunciated the founda­<lb/>tions of our modern theory, and in so doing took a step in advance greater than <lb/>that of any single subsequent authority. </s> |
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| <s>His system could not be otherwise than wrongly based, <lb/>as he could scarcely see forward two or three centuries to the atomic theory <lb/>and our vast fund of chemical knowledge. </s> | <s>His system could not be otherwise than wrongly based, <lb/>as he could scarcely see forward two or three centuries to the atomic theory <lb/>and our vast fund of chemical knowledge. </s> |
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| <s>However, based as it is upon <lb/>such properties as solubility and homogeneity, and upon external character­<lb/>istics such as colour, hardness, &c., it makes a most creditable advance <lb/>upon Theophrastus, Dioscorides, and Albertus Magnus—his only predecessors. <lb/>He is the first to assert that bismuth and antimony are true primary metals; <lb/>and to some sixty actual mineral species described previous to his time he <lb/>added some twenty more, and laments that there are scores unnamed.</s></p><p type="main"> | <s>However, based as it is upon <lb/>such properties as solubility and homogeneity, and upon external character­<lb/>istics such as colour, hardness, &c., it makes a most creditable advance <lb/>upon Theophrastus, Dioscorides, and Albertus Magnus—his only predecessors. <lb/></s> |
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| | <s>He is the first to assert that bismuth and antimony are true primary metals; <lb/>and to some sixty actual mineral species described previous to his time he <lb/>added some twenty more, and laments that there are scores unnamed.</s></p><p type="main"> |
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| <s>As to Agricola's contribution to the sciences of mining and metal­<lb/>lurgy, <emph type="italics"/>De Re Metallíca<emph.end type="italics"/> speaks for itself. </s> | <s>As to Agricola's contribution to the sciences of mining and metal­<lb/>lurgy, <emph type="italics"/>De Re Metallíca<emph.end type="italics"/> speaks for itself. </s> |
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| <s>BASILEAE M<28> D<28> LVI<28></s></p><p type="head"> | <s>BASILEAE M<28> D<28> LVI<28></s></p><p type="head"> |
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| <s>Cum Priuilegio Imperatoris in annos v. <lb/>& Galliarum Regis ad Sexennium.</s></p><pb pagenum="xvi"/><p type="main"> | <s>Cum Priuilegio Imperatoris in annos v. <lb/></s> |
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| | <s>& Galliarum Regis ad Sexennium.</s></p><pb pagenum="xvi"/><p type="main"> |
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| <s>he rendered literally. </s> | <s>he rendered literally. </s> |
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| <s>The Italian translation is by Michelangelo <lb/>Florio, and is by him dedicated to Elizabeth, Queen of England. </s> | <s>The Italian translation is by Michelangelo <lb/>Florio, and is by him dedicated to Elizabeth, Queen of England. </s> |
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| <s>The title <lb/>page of the first edition is reproduced later on, and the full titles of other <lb/>editions are given in the Appendix, together with the author's other works. <lb/>The following are the short titles of the various editions of <emph type="italics"/>De Re Metallica,<emph.end type="italics"/><lb/>together with the name and place of the publisher:—</s></p><p type="head"> | <s>The title <lb/>page of the first edition is reproduced later on, and the full titles of other <lb/>editions are given in the Appendix, together with the author's other works. <lb/></s> |
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| | <s>The following are the short titles of the various editions of <emph type="italics"/>De Re Metallica,<emph.end type="italics"/><lb/>together with the name and place of the publisher:—</s></p><p type="head"> |
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| <s>LATIN EDITIONS.<lb/><arrow.to.target n="table1"></arrow.to.target></s></p><table><table.target id="table1"></table.target><row><cell><emph type="italics"/>De Re Metallíca,<emph.end type="italics"/> Froben .. ..</cell><cell>Basel Folio 1556.</cell></row><row><cell><emph type="italics"/>De Re Metallíca,<emph.end type="italics"/> Froben .. ..</cell><cell>Basel Folio 1561.</cell></row><row><cell><emph type="italics"/>De Re Metallíca,<emph.end type="italics"/> Ludwig König</cell><cell>Basel Folio 1621.</cell></row><row><cell><emph type="italics"/>De Re Metallíca,<emph.end type="italics"/> Emanuel König</cell><cell>Basel Folio 1657.</cell></row></table><p type="main"> | <s>LATIN EDITIONS.<lb/><arrow.to.target n="table1"></arrow.to.target></s></p><table><table.target id="table1"></table.target><row><cell><emph type="italics"/>De Re Metallíca,<emph.end type="italics"/> Froben .. ..</cell><cell>Basel Folio 1556.</cell></row><row><cell><emph type="italics"/>De Re Metallíca,<emph.end type="italics"/> Froben .. ..</cell><cell>Basel Folio 1561.</cell></row><row><cell><emph type="italics"/>De Re Metallíca,<emph.end type="italics"/> Ludwig König</cell><cell>Basel Folio 1621.</cell></row><row><cell><emph type="italics"/>De Re Metallíca,<emph.end type="italics"/> Emanuel König</cell><cell>Basel Folio 1657.</cell></row></table><p type="main"> |
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| <s>So far as we know, <emph type="italics"/>De Re Metallíca<emph.end type="italics"/> was never actually published in other <lb/>than Latin, German, and Italian. </s> | <s>So far as we know, <emph type="italics"/>De Re Metallíca<emph.end type="italics"/> was never actually published in other <lb/>than Latin, German, and Italian. </s> |
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| <s>However, a portion of the accounts of <lb/>the firm of Froben were published in 1881<emph type="sup"/>24<emph.end type="sup"/>, and therein is an entry under <lb/>March, 1560, of a sum to one Leodigaris Grymaldo for some other work, and <lb/>also for “correction of Agricola's <emph type="italics"/>De Re Metallíca<emph.end type="italics"/> in French.” This may <lb/>of course, be an error for the Italian edition, which appeared a little later. <lb/>There is also mention<emph type="sup"/>25<emph.end type="sup"/> that a manuscript of <emph type="italics"/>De Re Metallica<emph.end type="italics"/> in Spanish was <lb/><lb/><lb/><lb/><pb pagenum="xvii"/>seen in the library of the town of Bejar. </s> | <s>However, a portion of the accounts of <lb/>the firm of Froben were published in 1881<emph type="sup"/>24<emph.end type="sup"/>, and therein is an entry under <lb/>March, 1560, of a sum to one Leodigaris Grymaldo for some other work, and <lb/>also for “correction of Agricola's <emph type="italics"/>De Re Metallíca<emph.end type="italics"/> in French.” This may <lb/>of course, be an error for the Italian edition, which appeared a little later. <lb/></s> |
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| | <s>There is also mention<emph type="sup"/>25<emph.end type="sup"/> that a manuscript of <emph type="italics"/>De Re Metallica<emph.end type="italics"/> in Spanish was <lb/><lb/><lb/><lb/><pb pagenum="xvii"/>seen in the library of the town of Bejar. </s> |
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| <s>An interesting note appears in <lb/>the glossary given by Sir John Pettus in his translation of Lazarus Erckern's <lb/>work on assaying. </s> | <s>An interesting note appears in <lb/>the glossary given by Sir John Pettus in his translation of Lazarus Erckern's <lb/>work on assaying. </s> |
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| <s>Pa&longs;tor ut explorat quæ terra &longs;it apta colenti, <lb/>Quæ bene lanigeras, quæ malè pa&longs;cat oucs.</s></p><p type="main"> | <s>Pa&longs;tor ut explorat quæ terra &longs;it apta colenti, <lb/>Quæ bene lanigeras, quæ malè pa&longs;cat oucs.</s></p><p type="main"> |
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| <s>En terræ intentus, quid uincula linea tendit? <lb/>Fungitur officio iam Ptolemæe tuo.</s></p><p type="main"> | <s>En terræ intentus, quid uincula linea tendit? <lb/></s> |
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| | <s>Fungitur officio iam Ptolemæe tuo.</s></p><p type="main"> |
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| <s>Vt&queacute; &longs;uæ inuenit men&longs;uram iura&queacute; uenæ, <lb/>In uarios operas diuidit ind e uiros.</s></p><p type="main"> | <s>Vt&queacute; &longs;uæ inuenit men&longs;uram iura&queacute; uenæ, <lb/>In uarios operas diuidit ind e uiros.</s></p><p type="main"> |
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| <s>For this reason we learn from the <lb/>history of nearly all ages that very many men have been made rich by the <lb/><pb pagenum="xxvi"/>mines, and the fortunes of many kings have been much amplified there­<lb/>by. </s> | <s>For this reason we learn from the <lb/>history of nearly all ages that very many men have been made rich by the <lb/><pb pagenum="xxvi"/>mines, and the fortunes of many kings have been much amplified there­<lb/>by. </s> |
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| <s>But I will not now speak more of these matters, because I have <lb/>dealt with these subjects partly in the first book of this work, and partly in <lb/>the other work entitled <emph type="italics"/>De Veteribus et Novis Metallis,<emph.end type="italics"/> where I have refuted <lb/>the charges which have been made against metals and against miners. <lb/>Now, though the art of husbandry, which I willingly rank with the art of <lb/>mining, appears to be divided into many branches, yet it is not separated <lb/>into so many as this art of ours, nor can I teach the principles of this as <lb/>easily as Columella did of that. </s> | <s>But I will not now speak more of these matters, because I have <lb/>dealt with these subjects partly in the first book of this work, and partly in <lb/>the other work entitled <emph type="italics"/>De Veteribus et Novis Metallis,<emph.end type="italics"/> where I have refuted <lb/>the charges which have been made against metals and against miners. <lb/></s> |
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| | <s>Now, though the art of husbandry, which I willingly rank with the art of <lb/>mining, appears to be divided into many branches, yet it is not separated <lb/>into so many as this art of ours, nor can I teach the principles of this as <lb/>easily as Columella did of that. </s> |
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| <s>He had at hand many writers upon hus­<lb/>bandry whom he could follow,—in fact, there are more than fifty Greek <lb/>authors whom Marcus Varro enumerates, and more than ten Latin ones, <lb/>whom Columella himself mentions. </s> | <s>He had at hand many writers upon hus­<lb/>bandry whom he could follow,—in fact, there are more than fifty Greek <lb/>authors whom Marcus Varro enumerates, and more than ten Latin ones, <lb/>whom Columella himself mentions. </s> |
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| <s>There is another class of alchemists who do not <lb/>change the substance of base metals, but colour them to represent gold or silver, <lb/>so that they appear to be that which they are not, and when this appearance <lb/>is taken from them by the fire, as if it were a garment foreign to them, they <lb/>return to their own character. </s> | <s>There is another class of alchemists who do not <lb/>change the substance of base metals, but colour them to represent gold or silver, <lb/>so that they appear to be that which they are not, and when this appearance <lb/>is taken from them by the fire, as if it were a garment foreign to them, they <lb/>return to their own character. </s> |
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| <s>These alchemists, since they deceive people, <lb/>are not only held in the greatest odium, but their frauds are a capital offence. <lb/>No less a fraud, warranting capital punishment, is committed by a third sort <lb/>of alchemists; these throw into a crucible a small piece of gold or silver <lb/>hidden in a coal, and after mixing therewith fluxes which have the power of <lb/>extracting it, pretend to be making gold from orpiment, or silver from tin and <lb/>like substances. </s> | <s>These alchemists, since they deceive people, <lb/>are not only held in the greatest odium, but their frauds are a capital offence. <lb/></s> |
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| | <s>No less a fraud, warranting capital punishment, is committed by a third sort <lb/>of alchemists; these throw into a crucible a small piece of gold or silver <lb/>hidden in a coal, and after mixing therewith fluxes which have the power of <lb/>extracting it, pretend to be making gold from orpiment, or silver from tin and <lb/>like substances. </s> |
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| <s>But concerning the art of alchemy, if it be an art, I will <lb/>speak further elsewhere. </s> | <s>But concerning the art of alchemy, if it be an art, I will <lb/>speak further elsewhere. </s> |
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| <s>The third book deals with veins and <lb/>stringers, and seams in the rocks. </s> | <s>The third book deals with veins and <lb/>stringers, and seams in the rocks. </s> |
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| <s>The fourth book explains the method of <lb/>delimiting veins, and also describes the functions of the mining officials. <lb/>The fifth book describes the digging of ore and the surveyor's art. </s> | <s>The fourth book explains the method of <lb/>delimiting veins, and also describes the functions of the mining officials. <lb/></s> |
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| | <s>The fifth book describes the digging of ore and the surveyor's art. </s> |
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| <s>The <lb/>sixth book describes the miners' tools and machines. </s> | <s>The <lb/>sixth book describes the miners' tools and machines. </s> |
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| <s>Many persons hold the opinion that the metal indus­<lb/>tries are fortuitous and that the occupation is one <lb/>of sordid toil, and altogether a kind of business <lb/>requiring not so much skill as labour. </s> | <s>Many persons hold the opinion that the metal indus­<lb/>tries are fortuitous and that the occupation is one <lb/>of sordid toil, and altogether a kind of business <lb/>requiring not so much skill as labour. </s> |
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| <s>But as for <lb/>myself, when I reflect carefully upon its special <lb/>points one by one, it appears to be far otherwise. <lb/>For a miner must have the greatest skill in his <lb/>work, that he may know first of all what mountain <lb/>or hill, what valley or plain, can be prospected most <lb/>profitably, or what he should leave alone; moreover, he must understand the <lb/>veins, stringers<emph type="sup"/>1<emph.end type="sup"/> and seams in the rocks<emph type="sup"/>2<emph.end type="sup"/>. </s> | <s>But as for <lb/>myself, when I reflect carefully upon its special <lb/>points one by one, it appears to be far otherwise. <lb/></s> |
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| | <s>For a miner must have the greatest skill in his <lb/>work, that he may know first of all what mountain <lb/>or hill, what valley or plain, can be prospected most <lb/>profitably, or what he should leave alone; moreover, he must understand the <lb/>veins, stringers<emph type="sup"/>1<emph.end type="sup"/> and seams in the rocks<emph type="sup"/>2<emph.end type="sup"/>. </s> |
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| <s>Then he must be thoroughly <lb/>familiar with the many and varied species of earths, juices<emph type="sup"/>3<emph.end type="sup"/>, gems, <lb/>stones, marbles, rocks, metals, and compounds<emph type="sup"/>4<emph.end type="sup"/>. </s> | <s>Then he must be thoroughly <lb/>familiar with the many and varied species of earths, juices<emph type="sup"/>3<emph.end type="sup"/>, gems, <lb/>stones, marbles, rocks, metals, and compounds<emph type="sup"/>4<emph.end type="sup"/>. </s> |
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| <s>Those who think mining of no advantage to the men who follow <lb/>the occupation assert, first, that scarcely one in a hundred who dig metals or <lb/>other such things derive profit therefrom; and again, that miners, because they <lb/>entrust their certain and well-established wealth to dubious and slippery <lb/>fortune, generally deceive themselves, and as a result, impoverished by <pb pagenum="5"/>expenses and losses, in the end spend the most bitter and most miserable of <lb/>lives. </s> | <s>Those who think mining of no advantage to the men who follow <lb/>the occupation assert, first, that scarcely one in a hundred who dig metals or <lb/>other such things derive profit therefrom; and again, that miners, because they <lb/>entrust their certain and well-established wealth to dubious and slippery <lb/>fortune, generally deceive themselves, and as a result, impoverished by <pb pagenum="5"/>expenses and losses, in the end spend the most bitter and most miserable of <lb/>lives. </s> |
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| <s>But persons who hold these views do not perceive how much a learned <lb/>and experienced miner differs from one ignorant and unskilled in the art. <lb/>The latter digs out the ore without any careful discrimination, while the <lb/>former first assays and proves it, and when he finds the veins either too <lb/>narrow and hard, or too wide and soft, he infers therefrom that these cannot <lb/>be mined profitably, and so works only the approved ones. </s> | <s>But persons who hold these views do not perceive how much a learned <lb/>and experienced miner differs from one ignorant and unskilled in the art. <lb/></s> |
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| | <s>The latter digs out the ore without any careful discrimination, while the <lb/>former first assays and proves it, and when he finds the veins either too <lb/>narrow and hard, or too wide and soft, he infers therefrom that these cannot <lb/>be mined profitably, and so works only the approved ones. </s> |
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| <s>What wonder <lb/>then if we find the incompetent miner suffers loss, while the competent one <lb/>is rewarded by an abundant return from his mining? </s> | <s>What wonder <lb/>then if we find the incompetent miner suffers loss, while the competent one <lb/>is rewarded by an abundant return from his mining? </s> |
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| <s>And Marcus Curius ordered the gold to be carried back to the <lb/>Samnites, as did also Fabricius Luscinus with regard to the silver and <lb/>copper. </s> | <s>And Marcus Curius ordered the gold to be carried back to the <lb/>Samnites, as did also Fabricius Luscinus with regard to the silver and <lb/>copper. </s> |
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| <s>And certain Republics have forbidden their citizens the use and <lb/>employment of gold and silver by law and ordinance; the Lacedaemonians, <lb/>by the decrees and ordinances of Lycurgus, used diligently to enquire among <lb/>their citizens whether they possessed any of these things or not, and the <lb/>possessor, when he was caught, was punished according to law and justice. <lb/>The inhabitants of a town on the Tigris, called Babytace, buried their gold <lb/>in the ground so that no one should use it. </s> | <s>And certain Republics have forbidden their citizens the use and <lb/>employment of gold and silver by law and ordinance; the Lacedaemonians, <lb/>by the decrees and ordinances of Lycurgus, used diligently to enquire among <lb/>their citizens whether they possessed any of these things or not, and the <lb/>possessor, when he was caught, was punished according to law and justice. <lb/></s> |
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| | <s>The inhabitants of a town on the Tigris, called Babytace, buried their gold <lb/>in the ground so that no one should use it. </s> |
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| <s>The Scythians condemned the <lb/>use of gold and silver so that they might not become avaricious.</s></p><p type="main"> | <s>The Scythians condemned the <lb/>use of gold and silver so that they might not become avaricious.</s></p><p type="main"> |
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| <s>Further are the metals reviled; in the first place people wantonly <lb/>abuse gold and silver and call them deadly and nefarious pests of the human <lb/>race, because those who possess them are in the greatest peril, for those who <lb/>have none lay snares for the possessors of wealth, and thus again and again <lb/>the metals have been the cause of destruction and ruin. </s> | <s>Further are the metals reviled; in the first place people wantonly <lb/>abuse gold and silver and call them deadly and nefarious pests of the human <lb/>race, because those who possess them are in the greatest peril, for those who <lb/>have none lay snares for the possessors of wealth, and thus again and again <lb/>the metals have been the cause of destruction and ruin. </s> |
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| <s>For example, <lb/>Polymnestor, King of Thrace, to obtain possession of his gold, killed Polydorus, <lb/>his noble guest and the son of Priam, his father-in-law, and old friend. <lb/>Pygmalion, the King of Tyre, in order that he might seize treasures of gold <lb/>and silver, killed his sister's husband, a priest, taking no account of either <lb/>kinship or religion. </s> | <s>For example, <lb/>Polymnestor, King of Thrace, to obtain possession of his gold, killed Polydorus, <lb/>his noble guest and the son of Priam, his father-in-law, and old friend. <lb/></s> |
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| | <s>Pygmalion, the King of Tyre, in order that he might seize treasures of gold <lb/>and silver, killed his sister's husband, a priest, taking no account of either <lb/>kinship or religion. </s> |
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| <s>For love of gold Eriphyle betrayed her husband <lb/>Amphiaraus to his enemy. </s> | <s>For love of gold Eriphyle betrayed her husband <lb/>Amphiaraus to his enemy. </s> |
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| <s>Likewise Lasthenes betrayed the city of <lb/>Olynthus to Philip of Macedon. </s> | <s>Likewise Lasthenes betrayed the city of <lb/>Olynthus to Philip of Macedon. </s> |
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| <s>The daughter of Spurius Tarpeius, having <lb/>been bribed with gold, admitted the Sabines into the citadel of Rome. <lb/>Claudius Curio sold his country for gold to Cæsar, the Dictator. </s> | <s>The daughter of Spurius Tarpeius, having <lb/>been bribed with gold, admitted the Sabines into the citadel of Rome. <lb/></s> |
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| | <s>Claudius Curio sold his country for gold to Cæsar, the Dictator. </s> |
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| <s>Gold, too, <lb/>was the cause of the downfall of Aesculapius, the great physician, who it was <lb/>believed was the son of Apollo. </s> | <s>Gold, too, <lb/>was the cause of the downfall of Aesculapius, the great physician, who it was <lb/>believed was the son of Apollo. </s> |
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| <s>We see thieves seized and strung up before us, sacrilegious persons <lb/>burnt alive, the limbs of robbers broken on the wheel, wars waged for the <lb/>same reason, which are not only destructive to those against whom they are <lb/>waged, but to those also who carry them on. </s> | <s>We see thieves seized and strung up before us, sacrilegious persons <lb/>burnt alive, the limbs of robbers broken on the wheel, wars waged for the <lb/>same reason, which are not only destructive to those against whom they are <lb/>waged, but to those also who carry them on. </s> |
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| <s>Nay, but they say that the <lb/>precious metals foster all manner of vice, such as the seduction of women, <lb/>adultery, and unchastity, in short, crimes of violence against the person. <lb/>Therefore the Poets, when they represent Jove transformed into a golden <lb/>shower and falling into the lap of Danae, merely mean that he had found <lb/>for himself a safe road by the use of gold, by which he might enter the tower <lb/>for the purpose of violating the maiden. </s> | <s>Nay, but they say that the <lb/>precious metals foster all manner of vice, such as the seduction of women, <lb/>adultery, and unchastity, in short, crimes of violence against the person. <lb/></s> |
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| | <s>Therefore the Poets, when they represent Jove transformed into a golden <lb/>shower and falling into the lap of Danae, merely mean that he had found <lb/>for himself a safe road by the use of gold, by which he might enter the tower <lb/>for the purpose of violating the maiden. </s> |
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| <s>Moreover, the fidelity of many <lb/>men is overthrown by the love of gold and silver, judicial sentences are <lb/>bought, and innumerable crimes are perpetrated. </s> | <s>Moreover, the fidelity of many <lb/>men is overthrown by the love of gold and silver, judicial sentences are <lb/>bought, and innumerable crimes are perpetrated. </s> |
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| <s>Therefore it levels the highest <lb/>towers to the ground, shatters and destroys the strongest walls. </s> | <s>Therefore it levels the highest <lb/>towers to the ground, shatters and destroys the strongest walls. </s> |
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| <s>Certainly <lb/>the ballistas which throw stones, the battering rams and other ancient war <lb/>engines for making breaches in walls of fortresses and hurling down strong­<lb/>holds, seem to have little power in comparison with our present cannon. <lb/>These emit horrible sounds and noises, not less than thunder, flashes <lb/>of fire burst from them like the lightning, striking, crushing, and shatter­<lb/>ing buildings, belching forth flames and kindling fires even as lightning <lb/>flashes. </s> | <s>Certainly <lb/>the ballistas which throw stones, the battering rams and other ancient war <lb/>engines for making breaches in walls of fortresses and hurling down strong­<lb/>holds, seem to have little power in comparison with our present cannon. <lb/></s> |
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| | <s>These emit horrible sounds and noises, not less than thunder, flashes <lb/>of fire burst from them like the lightning, striking, crushing, and shatter­<lb/>ing buildings, belching forth flames and kindling fires even as lightning <lb/>flashes. </s> |
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| <s>So that with more justice could it be said of the impious men of <lb/>our age than of Salmoneus of ancient days, that they had snatched lightning <lb/>from Jupiter and wrested it from his hands. </s> | <s>So that with more justice could it be said of the impious men of <lb/>our age than of Salmoneus of ancient days, that they had snatched lightning <lb/>from Jupiter and wrested it from his hands. </s> |
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| <s>The ground itself is turned up <lb/>with ploughshares and harrows, tough stalks and the tops of the roots are <lb/>broken off and dug up with a mattock, the sown seed is harrowed, the corn <pb pagenum="13"/>field is hoed and weeded; the ripe grain with part of the stalk is cut down <lb/>by scythes and threshed on the floor, or its ears are cut off and stored in the <lb/>barn and later beaten with flails and winnowed with fans, until finally the <lb/>pure grain is stored in the granary, whence it is brought forth again when <lb/>occasion demands or necessity arises. </s> | <s>The ground itself is turned up <lb/>with ploughshares and harrows, tough stalks and the tops of the roots are <lb/>broken off and dug up with a mattock, the sown seed is harrowed, the corn <pb pagenum="13"/>field is hoed and weeded; the ripe grain with part of the stalk is cut down <lb/>by scythes and threshed on the floor, or its ears are cut off and stored in the <lb/>barn and later beaten with flails and winnowed with fans, until finally the <lb/>pure grain is stored in the granary, whence it is brought forth again when <lb/>occasion demands or necessity arises. </s> |
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| <s>Again, if we wish to procure better <lb/>and more productive fruits from trees and bushes, we must resort to <lb/>cultivating, pruning, and grafting, which cannot be done without tools. <lb/>Even as without vessels we cannot keep or hold liquids, such as milk, honey, <lb/>wine, or oil, neither could so many living things be cared for without <lb/>buildings to protect them from long-continued rain and intolerable cold. <lb/>Most of the rustic instruments are made of iron, as ploughshares, share­<lb/>beams, mattocks, the prongs of harrows, hoes, planes, hay-forks, straw <lb/>cutters, pruning shears, pruning hooks, spades, lances, forks, and weed <lb/>cutters. </s> | <s>Again, if we wish to procure better <lb/>and more productive fruits from trees and bushes, we must resort to <lb/>cultivating, pruning, and grafting, which cannot be done without tools. <lb/></s> |
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| | <s>Even as without vessels we cannot keep or hold liquids, such as milk, honey, <lb/>wine, or oil, neither could so many living things be cared for without <lb/>buildings to protect them from long-continued rain and intolerable cold. <lb/></s> |
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| | <s>Most of the rustic instruments are made of iron, as ploughshares, share­<lb/>beams, mattocks, the prongs of harrows, hoes, planes, hay-forks, straw <lb/>cutters, pruning shears, pruning hooks, spades, lances, forks, and weed <lb/>cutters. </s> |
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| <s>Vessels are also made of copper or lead. </s> | <s>Vessels are also made of copper or lead. </s> |
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| <s>Neither are wooden <lb/>instruments or vessels made without iron. </s> | <s>Neither are wooden <lb/>instruments or vessels made without iron. </s> |
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| <s>Wine cellars, oil-mills, stables, <lb/>or any other part of a farm building could not be built without iron tools. <lb/>Then if the bull, the wether, the goat, or any other domestic animal is led <lb/>away from the pasture to the butcher, or if the poulterer brings from the farm <lb/>a chicken, a hen, or a capon for the cook, could any of these animals be cut <lb/>up and divided without axes and knives? </s> | <s>Wine cellars, oil-mills, stables, <lb/>or any other part of a farm building could not be built without iron tools. <lb/></s> |
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| | <s>Then if the bull, the wether, the goat, or any other domestic animal is led <lb/>away from the pasture to the butcher, or if the poulterer brings from the farm <lb/>a chicken, a hen, or a capon for the cook, could any of these animals be cut <lb/>up and divided without axes and knives? </s> |
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| <s>I need say nothing here about <lb/>bronze and copper pots for cooking, because for these purposes one could <lb/>make use of earthen vessels, but even these in turn could not be made and <lb/>fashioned by the potter without tools, for no instruments can be made out <lb/>of wood alone, without the use of iron. </s> | <s>I need say nothing here about <lb/>bronze and copper pots for cooking, because for these purposes one could <lb/>make use of earthen vessels, but even these in turn could not be made and <lb/>fashioned by the potter without tools, for no instruments can be made out <lb/>of wood alone, without the use of iron. </s> |
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| <s>I will not <lb/>speak of the snares and other instruments with which the woodcock, wood­<lb/>pecker, and other wild birds are caught, lest I pursue unseasonably and too <lb/>minutely single instances. </s> | <s>I will not <lb/>speak of the snares and other instruments with which the woodcock, wood­<lb/>pecker, and other wild birds are caught, lest I pursue unseasonably and too <lb/>minutely single instances. </s> |
| | |
| <s>Lastly, with his fish-hook and net does not the <lb/>fisherman catch the fish in the sea, in the lakes, in fish-ponds, or in rivers? <lb/>But the hook is of iron, and sometimes we see lead or iron weights attached <lb/>to the net. </s> | <s>Lastly, with his fish-hook and net does not the <lb/>fisherman catch the fish in the sea, in the lakes, in fish-ponds, or in rivers? <lb/></s> |
| | |
| | <s>But the hook is of iron, and sometimes we see lead or iron weights attached <lb/>to the net. </s> |
| | |
| <s>And most fish that are caught are afterward cut up and dis­<lb/>embowelled with knives and axes. </s> | <s>And most fish that are caught are afterward cut up and dis­<lb/>embowelled with knives and axes. </s> |
| | |
| |
| | |
| <s>Now I will speak of clothing, which is made out of wool, flax, feathers, <lb/>hair, fur, or leather. </s> | <s>Now I will speak of clothing, which is made out of wool, flax, feathers, <lb/>hair, fur, or leather. </s> |
| | |
| <s>First the sheep are sheared, then the wool is combed. <lb/>Next the threads are drawn out, while later the warp is suspended in the <lb/>shuttle under which passes the wool. </s> | <s>First the sheep are sheared, then the wool is combed. <lb/></s> |
| | |
| | <s>Next the threads are drawn out, while later the warp is suspended in the <lb/>shuttle under which passes the wool. </s> |
| | |
| <s>This being struck by the comb, at length <lb/>cloth is formed either from threads alone or from threads and hair. </s> | <s>This being struck by the comb, at length <lb/>cloth is formed either from threads alone or from threads and hair. </s> |
| | |
| |
| | |
| <s>As for Aristippus of Cyrene, if he had gath­<lb/>ered and saved the gold which he ordered his slaves to throw away, he might <pb pagenum="15"/>have bought the things which he needed for the necessaries of life, and he <lb/>would not. </s> | <s>As for Aristippus of Cyrene, if he had gath­<lb/>ered and saved the gold which he ordered his slaves to throw away, he might <pb pagenum="15"/>have bought the things which he needed for the necessaries of life, and he <lb/>would not. </s> |
| | |
| <s>by reason of his poverty, have then been obliged to flatter the <lb/>tyrant Dionysius, nor would he ever have been called by him a King's dog. <lb/>For this reason Horace, speaking of Damasippus when reviling Staberus for <lb/>valuing riches very highly, says:</s></p><p type="main"> | <s>by reason of his poverty, have then been obliged to flatter the <lb/>tyrant Dionysius, nor would he ever have been called by him a King's dog. <lb/></s> |
| | |
| | <s>For this reason Horace, speaking of Damasippus when reviling Staberus for <lb/>valuing riches very highly, says:</s></p><p type="main"> |
| | |
| <s>“What resemblance has the Grecian Aristippus to this fellow? <lb/>He who commanded his slaves to throw away the gold in the midst of <lb/>Libya because they went too slowly, impeded by the weight of their <lb/>burden—which of these two men is the more insane?”<emph type="sup"/>21<emph.end type="sup"/></s></p><p type="main"> | <s>“What resemblance has the Grecian Aristippus to this fellow? <lb/></s> |
| | |
| | <s>He who commanded his slaves to throw away the gold in the midst of <lb/>Libya because they went too slowly, impeded by the weight of their <lb/>burden—which of these two men is the more insane?”<emph type="sup"/>21<emph.end type="sup"/></s></p><p type="main"> |
| | |
| <s>Insane indeed is he who makes more of riches than of virtue. </s> | <s>Insane indeed is he who makes more of riches than of virtue. </s> |
| | |
| |
| | |
| <s>Finally, the Scythians, by condemning the use of gold and silver <pb pagenum="16"/>alone, did not free themselves utterly from avarice, because although he is not <lb/>enjoying them, one who can possess other forms of property may also <lb/>become avaricious.</s></p><p type="main"> | <s>Finally, the Scythians, by condemning the use of gold and silver <pb pagenum="16"/>alone, did not free themselves utterly from avarice, because although he is not <lb/>enjoying them, one who can possess other forms of property may also <lb/>become avaricious.</s></p><p type="main"> |
| | |
| <s>Now let us reply to the attacks hurled against the products of mines. <lb/>In the first place, they call gold and silver the scourge of mankind because <lb/>they are the cause of destruction and ruin to their possessors. </s> | <s>Now let us reply to the attacks hurled against the products of mines. <lb/></s> |
| | |
| | <s>In the first place, they call gold and silver the scourge of mankind because <lb/>they are the cause of destruction and ruin to their possessors. </s> |
| | |
| | <s>But in this <lb/>manner, might not anything that we possess be called a scourge to <lb/>human kind,—whether it be a horse, or a garment, or anything else? <lb/></s> |
| | |
| <s>But in this <lb/>manner, might not anything that we possess be called a scourge to <lb/>human kind,—whether it be a horse, or a garment, or anything else? <lb/>For, whether one rides a splendid horse, or journeys well clad, he would <lb/>give occasion to a robber to kill him. </s> | <s>For, whether one rides a splendid horse, or journeys well clad, he would <lb/>give occasion to a robber to kill him. </s> |
| | |
| <s>Are we then not to ride on horses, <lb/>but to journey on foot, because a robber has once committed a murder in <lb/>order that he may steal a horse? </s> | <s>Are we then not to ride on horses, <lb/>but to journey on foot, because a robber has once committed a murder in <lb/>order that he may steal a horse? </s> |
| | |
| |
| | |
| <s>Seeing <lb/>then that men cannot conveniently do all these things, we should be on our <lb/>guard against robbers, and because we cannot always protect ourselves <lb/>from their hands, it is the special duty of the magistrate to seize wicked and <lb/>villainous men for torture, and, if need be, for execution.</s></p><p type="main"> | <s>Seeing <lb/>then that men cannot conveniently do all these things, we should be on our <lb/>guard against robbers, and because we cannot always protect ourselves <lb/>from their hands, it is the special duty of the magistrate to seize wicked and <lb/>villainous men for torture, and, if need be, for execution.</s></p><p type="main"> |
| | |
| <s>Again, the products of the mines are not themselves the cause of war. <lb/>Thus, for example, when a tyrant, inflamed with passion for a woman of <lb/>great beauty, makes war on the inhabitants of her city, the fault lies in the <lb/>unbridled lust of the tyrant and not in the beauty of the woman. </s> | <s>Again, the products of the mines are not themselves the cause of war. <lb/></s> |
| | |
| | <s>Thus, for example, when a tyrant, inflamed with passion for a woman of <lb/>great beauty, makes war on the inhabitants of her city, the fault lies in the <lb/>unbridled lust of the tyrant and not in the beauty of the woman. </s> |
| | |
| <s>Likewise, <lb/>when another man, blinded by a passion for gold and silver, makes war <lb/>upon a wealthy people, we ought not to blame the metals but transfer all <lb/>blame to avarice. </s> | <s>Likewise, <lb/>when another man, blinded by a passion for gold and silver, makes war <lb/>upon a wealthy people, we ought not to blame the metals but transfer all <lb/>blame to avarice. </s> |
| | |
| |
| | |
| <s>For lust and eagerness after gold and other things make men blind, and <lb/>this wicked greed for money, all men in all times and places have considered <lb/>dishonourable and criminal. </s> | <s>For lust and eagerness after gold and other things make men blind, and <lb/>this wicked greed for money, all men in all times and places have considered <lb/>dishonourable and criminal. </s> |
| | |
| <s>Moreover, those who have been so addicted to <lb/>avarice as to be its slaves have always been regarded as mean and sordid. <lb/>Similarly, too, if by means of gold and silver and gems men can overcome <lb/>the chastity of women, corrupt the honour of many people, bribe the course <lb/>of justice and commit innumerable wickednesses, it is not the metals which <lb/>are to be blamed, but the evil passions of men which become inflamed and <lb/>ignited; or it is due to the blind and impious desires of their minds. </s> | <s>Moreover, those who have been so addicted to <lb/>avarice as to be its slaves have always been regarded as mean and sordid. <lb/></s> |
| | |
| | <s>Similarly, too, if by means of gold and silver and gems men can overcome <lb/>the chastity of women, corrupt the honour of many people, bribe the course <lb/>of justice and commit innumerable wickednesses, it is not the metals which <lb/>are to be blamed, but the evil passions of men which become inflamed and <lb/>ignited; or it is due to the blind and impious desires of their minds. </s> |
| | |
| <s>But <pb pagenum="17"/>although these attacks against gold and silver may be directed especially <lb/>against money, yet inasmuch as the Poets one after another condemn it, <lb/>their criticism must be met, and this can be done by one argument alone. <lb/>Money is good for those who use it well; it brings loss and evil to those who <lb/>use it ill. </s> | <s>But <pb pagenum="17"/>although these attacks against gold and silver may be directed especially <lb/>against money, yet inasmuch as the Poets one after another condemn it, <lb/>their criticism must be met, and this can be done by one argument alone. <lb/></s> |
| | |
| | <s>Money is good for those who use it well; it brings loss and evil to those who <lb/>use it ill. </s> |
| | |
| <s>Hence, very rightly, Horace says:</s></p><p type="main"> | <s>Hence, very rightly, Horace says:</s></p><p type="main"> |
| | |
| |
| | |
| <s>Indeed, nothing more useful <lb/>could have been devised, because a small amount of gold and silver is of as <lb/>great value as things cumbrous and heavy; and so peoples far distant from one <lb/>another can, by the use of money, trade very easily in those things which <lb/>civilised life can scarcely do without.</s></p><p type="main"> | <s>Indeed, nothing more useful <lb/>could have been devised, because a small amount of gold and silver is of as <lb/>great value as things cumbrous and heavy; and so peoples far distant from one <lb/>another can, by the use of money, trade very easily in those things which <lb/>civilised life can scarcely do without.</s></p><p type="main"> |
| | |
| <s>The curses which are uttered against iron, copper, and lead have no <lb/>weight with prudent and sensible men, because if these metals were done <lb/>away with, men, as their anger swelled and their fury became unbridled, <lb/>would assuredly fight like wild beasts with fists, heels, nails, and teeth. <lb/>They would strike each other with sticks, hit one another with stones, or <lb/>dash their foes to the ground. </s> | <s>The curses which are uttered against iron, copper, and lead have no <lb/>weight with prudent and sensible men, because if these metals were done <lb/>away with, men, as their anger swelled and their fury became unbridled, <lb/>would assuredly fight like wild beasts with fists, heels, nails, and teeth. <lb/></s> |
| | |
| | <s>They would strike each other with sticks, hit one another with stones, or <lb/>dash their foes to the ground. </s> |
| | |
| <s>Moreover, a man does not kill another with <lb/>iron alone, but slays by means of poison, starvation, or thirst. </s> | <s>Moreover, a man does not kill another with <lb/>iron alone, but slays by means of poison, starvation, or thirst. </s> |
| | |
| |
| | |
| <s>The wicked use them badly, and to <lb/>them they are harmful. </s> | <s>The wicked use them badly, and to <lb/>them they are harmful. </s> |
| | |
| <s>There is a saying of Socrates, that just as wine <lb/>is influenced by the cask, so the character of riches is like their possessors. <lb/>The Stoics, whose custom it is to argue subtly and acutely, though they did <lb/>not put wealth in the category of good things, they did not count it amongst <lb/>the evil ones, but placed it in that class which they term neutral. </s> | <s>There is a saying of Socrates, that just as wine <lb/>is influenced by the cask, so the character of riches is like their possessors. <lb/></s> |
| | |
| | <s>The Stoics, whose custom it is to argue subtly and acutely, though they did <lb/>not put wealth in the category of good things, they did not count it amongst <lb/>the evil ones, but placed it in that class which they term neutral. </s> |
| | |
| <s>For to <lb/>them virtue alone is good, and vice alone evil. </s> | <s>For to <lb/>them virtue alone is good, and vice alone evil. </s> |
| | |
| |
| | |
| <s>Therefore, it is not right to degrade them <lb/>from the place they hold among the good things. </s> | <s>Therefore, it is not right to degrade them <lb/>from the place they hold among the good things. </s> |
| | |
| <s>In truth, if there is a <lb/>bad use made of them, should they on that account be rightly called evils? <lb/>For of what good things can we not make an equally bad or good use? </s> | <s>In truth, if there is a <lb/>bad use made of them, should they on that account be rightly called evils? <lb/></s> |
| | |
| | <s>For of what good things can we not make an equally bad or good use? </s> |
| | |
| <s>Let <lb/>me give examples from both classes of what we term good. </s> | <s>Let <lb/>me give examples from both classes of what we term good. </s> |
| | |
| |
| | |
| <s>Likewise, too, if a lovely woman is anxious to please her husband <pb pagenum="19"/>alone she uses her beauty aright, but if she lives wantonly and is a victim <lb/>of passion, she misuses her beauty. </s> | <s>Likewise, too, if a lovely woman is anxious to please her husband <pb pagenum="19"/>alone she uses her beauty aright, but if she lives wantonly and is a victim <lb/>of passion, she misuses her beauty. </s> |
| | |
| <s>In like manner, a youth who devotes <lb/>himself to learning and cultivates the liberal arts, uses his genius rightly. <lb/>But he who dissembles, lies, cheats, and deceives by fraud and dishonesty, <lb/>misuses his abilities. </s> | <s>In like manner, a youth who devotes <lb/>himself to learning and cultivates the liberal arts, uses his genius rightly. <lb/></s> |
| | |
| | <s>But he who dissembles, lies, cheats, and deceives by fraud and dishonesty, <lb/>misuses his abilities. </s> |
| | |
| <s>Now, the man who, because they are abused, denies that <lb/>wine, strength, beauty, or genius are good things, is unjust and blasphemous <lb/>towards the Most High God, Creator of the World; so he who would remove <lb/>metals from the class of blessings also acts unjustly and blasphemously <lb/>against Him. </s> | <s>Now, the man who, because they are abused, denies that <lb/>wine, strength, beauty, or genius are good things, is unjust and blasphemous <lb/>towards the Most High God, Creator of the World; so he who would remove <lb/>metals from the class of blessings also acts unjustly and blasphemously <lb/>against Him. </s> |
| | |
| |
| | |
| <s>And Antiphanes:</s></p><p type="main"> | <s>And Antiphanes:</s></p><p type="main"> |
| | |
| <s>“Now, by the gods, why is it necessary for a man to grow rich? <lb/>Why does he desire to possess much money unless that he may, as <lb/>much as possible, help his friends, and sow the seeds of a harvest of <lb/>gratitude, sweetest of the goddesses.”<emph type="sup"/>27<emph.end type="sup"/></s></p><p type="main"> | <s>“Now, by the gods, why is it necessary for a man to grow rich? <lb/></s> |
| | |
| | <s>Why does he desire to possess much money unless that he may, as <lb/>much as possible, help his friends, and sow the seeds of a harvest of <lb/>gratitude, sweetest of the goddesses.”<emph type="sup"/>27<emph.end type="sup"/></s></p><p type="main"> |
| | |
| <s>Having thus refuted the arguments and contentions of adversaries, <lb/>let us sum up the advantages of the metals. </s> | <s>Having thus refuted the arguments and contentions of adversaries, <lb/>let us sum up the advantages of the metals. </s> |
| | |
| |
| | |
| <s>Or the mine superintendent imposes<gap/><lb/>on the owners such a heavy contribution on shares, that if they cannot pay, <lb/>or will not, they lose their rights of possession; while the superintendent, <lb/>contrary to all that is right, seizes upon all that they have lost. </s> | <s>Or the mine superintendent imposes<gap/><lb/>on the owners such a heavy contribution on shares, that if they cannot pay, <lb/>or will not, they lose their rights of possession; while the superintendent, <lb/>contrary to all that is right, seizes upon all that they have lost. </s> |
| | |
| <s>Or, <pb pagenum="21"/>finally, the mine foreman may conceal the vein by plastering over with <lb/>clay that part where the metal abounds, or by covering it with earth, <lb/>stones, stakes, or poles, in the hope that after several years the pro­<lb/>prietors, thinking the mine exhausted, will abandon it, and the foreman <lb/>can then excavate that remainder of the ore and keep it for himself. <lb/>They even state that the scum of the miners exist wholly by fraud, <lb/>deceit, and lying. </s> | <s>Or, <pb pagenum="21"/>finally, the mine foreman may conceal the vein by plastering over with <lb/>clay that part where the metal abounds, or by covering it with earth, <lb/>stones, stakes, or poles, in the hope that after several years the pro­<lb/>prietors, thinking the mine exhausted, will abandon it, and the foreman <lb/>can then excavate that remainder of the ore and keep it for himself. <lb/></s> |
| | |
| | <s>They even state that the scum of the miners exist wholly by fraud, <lb/>deceit, and lying. </s> |
| | |
| <s>For to speak of nothing else, but only of those <lb/>deceits which are practised in buying and selling, it is said they either <lb/>advertise the veins with false and imaginary praises, so that they can <lb/>sell the shares in the mines at one-half more than they are worth, or <lb/>on the contrary, they sometimes detract from the estimate of them so <lb/>that they can buy shares for a small price. </s> | <s>For to speak of nothing else, but only of those <lb/>deceits which are practised in buying and selling, it is said they either <lb/>advertise the veins with false and imaginary praises, so that they can <lb/>sell the shares in the mines at one-half more than they are worth, or <lb/>on the contrary, they sometimes detract from the estimate of them so <lb/>that they can buy shares for a small price. </s> |
| | |
| |
| | |
| <s>But <lb/>to-day the miners receive pay, and are engaged like other workmen in the <lb/>common trades.</s></p><p type="main"> | <s>But <lb/>to-day the miners receive pay, and are engaged like other workmen in the <lb/>common trades.</s></p><p type="main"> |
| | |
| <s>Certainly, if mining is a shameful and discreditable employment for a <lb/>gentleman because slaves once worked mines, then agriculture also will not be <lb/>a very creditable employment, because slaves once cultivated the fields, and <lb/>even to-day do so among the Turks; nor will architecture be considered <lb/>honest, because some slaves have been found skilful in that profession; <lb/>nor medicine, because not a few doctors have been slaves; nor will any other <lb/>worthy craft, because men captured by force of arms have practised it. <lb/>Yet agriculture, architecture, and medicine are none the less counted <lb/>amongst the number of honourable professions; therefore, mining <lb/>ought not for this reason to be excluded from them. </s> | <s>Certainly, if mining is a shameful and discreditable employment for a <lb/>gentleman because slaves once worked mines, then agriculture also will not be <lb/>a very creditable employment, because slaves once cultivated the fields, and <lb/>even to-day do so among the Turks; nor will architecture be considered <lb/>honest, because some slaves have been found skilful in that profession; <lb/>nor medicine, because not a few doctors have been slaves; nor will any other <lb/>worthy craft, because men captured by force of arms have practised it. <lb/></s> |
| | |
| | <s>Yet agriculture, architecture, and medicine are none the less counted <lb/>amongst the number of honourable professions; therefore, mining <lb/>ought not for this reason to be excluded from them. </s> |
| | |
| <s>But suppose we <lb/>grant that the hired miners have a sordid employment. </s> | <s>But suppose we <lb/>grant that the hired miners have a sordid employment. </s> |
| | |
| |
| | |
| <s>“There are,” he said, “ten tribes <lb/>of Athenians; if, therefore, the State assigned an equal number of <lb/>slaves to each tribe, and the tribes participated equally in all the new veins, <lb/>undoubtedly by this method, if a rich vein of silver were found by one tribe, <lb/>whatever profit were made from it would assuredly be shared by the whole <lb/>number. </s> | <s>“There are,” he said, “ten tribes <lb/>of Athenians; if, therefore, the State assigned an equal number of <lb/>slaves to each tribe, and the tribes participated equally in all the new veins, <lb/>undoubtedly by this method, if a rich vein of silver were found by one tribe, <lb/>whatever profit were made from it would assuredly be shared by the whole <lb/>number. </s> |
| | |
| <s>And if two, three, or four tribes, or even half the whole number <lb/>find veins, their works would then become more profitable; and it is not <lb/>“probable that the work of all the tribes will be disappointing”<emph type="sup"/>7<emph.end type="sup"/> Although <lb/>this advice of Xenophon is full of prudence, there is no opportunity for it <lb/>except in free and wealthy States; for those people who are under the <lb/>authority of kings and princes, or are kept in subjection by tyranny, do not <lb/>dare, without permission, to incur such expenditure; those who are endowed <lb/>with little wealth and resources cannot do so on account of insufficient funds. <lb/>Moreover, amongst our race it is not customary for Republics to have slaves <lb/>whom they can hire out for the benefit of the people<emph type="sup"/>8<emph.end type="sup"/>; but, instead, now­<lb/>adays those who are in authority administer the funds for mining in the name <lb/>of the State, not unlike private individuals.</s></p><pb pagenum="29"/><p type="main"> | <s>And if two, three, or four tribes, or even half the whole number <lb/>find veins, their works would then become more profitable; and it is not <lb/>“probable that the work of all the tribes will be disappointing”<emph type="sup"/>7<emph.end type="sup"/> Although <lb/>this advice of Xenophon is full of prudence, there is no opportunity for it <lb/>except in free and wealthy States; for those people who are under the <lb/>authority of kings and princes, or are kept in subjection by tyranny, do not <lb/>dare, without permission, to incur such expenditure; those who are endowed <lb/>with little wealth and resources cannot do so on account of insufficient funds. <lb/></s> |
| | |
| | <s>Moreover, amongst our race it is not customary for Republics to have slaves <lb/>whom they can hire out for the benefit of the people<emph type="sup"/>8<emph.end type="sup"/>; but, instead, now­<lb/>adays those who are in authority administer the funds for mining in the name <lb/>of the State, not unlike private individuals.</s></p><pb pagenum="29"/><p type="main"> |
| | |
| | <s>Some owners prefer to buy shares<emph type="sup"/>9<emph.end type="sup"/> in mines abounding in metals, <lb/>rather than to be troubled themselves to search for the veins; these men <lb/>employ an easier and less uncertain method of increasing their property. <lb/></s> |
| | |
| | <s>Although their hopes in the shares of one or another mine may be frustrated, <lb/>the buyers of shares should not abandon the rest of the mines, for all the <lb/>money expended will be recovered with interest from some other mine. <lb/></s> |
| | |
| <s>Some owners prefer to buy shares<emph type="sup"/>9<emph.end type="sup"/> in mines abounding in metals, <lb/>rather than to be troubled themselves to search for the veins; these men <lb/>employ an easier and less uncertain method of increasing their property. <lb/>Although their hopes in the shares of one or another mine may be frustrated, <lb/>the buyers of shares should not abandon the rest of the mines, for all the <lb/>money expended will be recovered with interest from some other mine. <lb/>They should not buy only high priced shares in those mines producing metals, <lb/>nor should they buy too many in neighbouring mines where metal has not <lb/>yet been found, lest, should fortune not respond, they may be exhausted by <lb/>their losses and have nothing with which they may meet their expenses <lb/>or buy other shares which may replace their losses. </s> | <s>They should not buy only high priced shares in those mines producing metals, <lb/>nor should they buy too many in neighbouring mines where metal has not <lb/>yet been found, lest, should fortune not respond, they may be exhausted by <lb/>their losses and have nothing with which they may meet their expenses <lb/>or buy other shares which may replace their losses. </s> |
| | |
| <s>This calamity over­<lb/>takes those who wish to grow suddenly rich from mines, and instead, they <lb/>become very much poorer than before. </s> | <s>This calamity over­<lb/>takes those who wish to grow suddenly rich from mines, and instead, they <lb/>become very much poorer than before. </s> |
| | |
| |
| | |
| <s>Investors in shares may perhaps <lb/>become less wealthy, but they are more certain of some gain than those who <lb/>mine for metals at their own expense, as they are more cautious in trusting <lb/>to fortune. </s> | <s>Investors in shares may perhaps <lb/>become less wealthy, but they are more certain of some gain than those who <lb/>mine for metals at their own expense, as they are more cautious in trusting <lb/>to fortune. </s> |
| | |
| <s>Neither ought miners to be altogether distrustful of fortune, as <lb/>we see some are, who as soon as the shares of any mine begin to go up in <lb/><lb/><pb pagenum="30"/>value, sell them, on which account they seldom obtain even moderate wealth. <lb/>There are some people who wash over the dumps from exhausted and <lb/>abandoned mines, and those dumps which are derived from the drains of <lb/>tunnels; and others who smelt the old slags; from all of which they make an <lb/>ample return.</s></p><p type="main"> | <s>Neither ought miners to be altogether distrustful of fortune, as <lb/>we see some are, who as soon as the shares of any mine begin to go up in <lb/><lb/><pb pagenum="30"/>value, sell them, on which account they seldom obtain even moderate wealth. <lb/></s> |
| | |
| | <s>There are some people who wash over the dumps from exhausted and <lb/>abandoned mines, and those dumps which are derived from the drains of <lb/>tunnels; and others who smelt the old slags; from all of which they make an <lb/>ample return.</s></p><p type="main"> |
| | |
| <s>Now a miner, before he begins to mine the veins, must consider seven <lb/>things, namely:—the situation, the conditions, the water, the roads, the <lb/>climate, the right of ownership, and the neighbours. </s> | <s>Now a miner, before he begins to mine the veins, must consider seven <lb/>things, namely:—the situation, the conditions, the water, the roads, the <lb/>climate, the right of ownership, and the neighbours. </s> |
| | |
| |
| | |
| <s>All districts do not possess a great number of mountains <lb/>crowded together; some have but one, others two, others three, or perhaps <lb/>a few more. </s> | <s>All districts do not possess a great number of mountains <lb/>crowded together; some have but one, others two, others three, or perhaps <lb/>a few more. </s> |
| | |
| <s>In some places there are plains lying between them; in others <lb/>the mountains are joined together or separated only by narrow valleys. <lb/>The miner should not dig in those solitary mountains, dispersed through <lb/>the plains and open regions, but only in those which are connected and <lb/>joined with others. </s> | <s>In some places there are plains lying between them; in others <lb/>the mountains are joined together or separated only by narrow valleys. <lb/></s> |
| | |
| | <s>The miner should not dig in those solitary mountains, dispersed through <lb/>the plains and open regions, but only in those which are connected and <lb/>joined with others. </s> |
| | |
| <s>Then again, since mountains differ in size, some being <lb/>very large, others of medium height, and others more like hills than <lb/>mountains, the miner rarely digs in the largest or the smallest of them, <lb/>but generally only in those of medium size. </s> | <s>Then again, since mountains differ in size, some being <lb/>very large, others of medium height, and others more like hills than <lb/>mountains, the miner rarely digs in the largest or the smallest of them, <lb/>but generally only in those of medium size. </s> |
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| |
| | |
| <s>There is a third variety which is surrounded on all <lb/>sides by mountains, and these are called <emph type="italics"/>convalles.<emph.end type="italics"/> Some valleys again, <lb/>have recesses, and others have none; one is wide, another narrow; one <lb/>is long, another short; yet another kind is not higher than the neighbouring <lb/>plain, and others are lower than the surrounding flat country. </s> | <s>There is a third variety which is surrounded on all <lb/>sides by mountains, and these are called <emph type="italics"/>convalles.<emph.end type="italics"/> Some valleys again, <lb/>have recesses, and others have none; one is wide, another narrow; one <lb/>is long, another short; yet another kind is not higher than the neighbouring <lb/>plain, and others are lower than the surrounding flat country. </s> |
| | |
| <s>But the <lb/>miner does not dig in those surrounded on all sides by mountains, nor in those <lb/>that are open, unless there be a low plain close at hand, or unless a vein <lb/>of metal descending from the mountains should extend into the valley. <lb/>Plains differ from one another, one being situated at low elevation, <lb/>and others higher, one being level and another with a slight incline. </s> | <s>But the <lb/>miner does not dig in those surrounded on all sides by mountains, nor in those <lb/>that are open, unless there be a low plain close at hand, or unless a vein <lb/>of metal descending from the mountains should extend into the valley. <lb/></s> |
| | |
| | <s>Plains differ from one another, one being situated at low elevation, <lb/>and others higher, one being level and another with a slight incline. </s> |
| | |
| <s>The <lb/>miner should never excavate the low-lying plain, nor one which is perfectly <lb/>level, unless it be in some mountain, and rarely should he mine in the other <lb/>kinds of plains.</s></p><p type="main"> | <s>The <lb/>miner should never excavate the low-lying plain, nor one which is perfectly <lb/>level, unless it be in some mountain, and rarely should he mine in the other <lb/>kinds of plains.</s></p><p type="main"> |
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| |
| | |
| <s>This injures not so much the work­<lb/>men as the masters; since on account of the high price of goods, the work­<lb/>men are not content with the wages customary for their labour, nor can <lb/>they be, and they ask higher pay from the owners. </s> | <s>This injures not so much the work­<lb/>men as the masters; since on account of the high price of goods, the work­<lb/>men are not content with the wages customary for their labour, nor can <lb/>they be, and they ask higher pay from the owners. </s> |
| | |
| <s>And if the owners <lb/>refuse, the men will not work any longer in the mines but will go elsewhere. <lb/>Although districts which yield metals and other mineral products are <lb/>generally healthy, because, being often situated on high and lofty ground, <lb/>they are fanned by every wind, yet sometimes they are unhealthy, as has <lb/>been related in my other book, which is called “<emph type="italics"/>De Natura Eorum Quae <lb/>Effluunt ex Terra.<emph.end type="italics"/>” Therefore, a wise miner does not mine in such places, <lb/>even if they are very productive, when he perceives unmistakable signs <lb/>of pestilence. </s> | <s>And if the owners <lb/>refuse, the men will not work any longer in the mines but will go elsewhere. <lb/></s> |
| | |
| | <s>Although districts which yield metals and other mineral products are <lb/>generally healthy, because, being often situated on high and lofty ground, <lb/>they are fanned by every wind, yet sometimes they are unhealthy, as has <lb/>been related in my other book, which is called “<emph type="italics"/>De Natura Eorum Quae <lb/>Effluunt ex Terra.<emph.end type="italics"/>” Therefore, a wise miner does not mine in such places, <lb/>even if they are very productive, when he perceives unmistakable signs <lb/>of pestilence. </s> |
| | |
| <s>For if a man mines in an unhealthy region he may be alive <lb/>one hour and dead the next.</s></p><p type="main"> | <s>For if a man mines in an unhealthy region he may be alive <lb/>one hour and dead the next.</s></p><p type="main"> |
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| |
| | |
| <s>The <emph type="italics"/>Bergmeister<emph.end type="italics"/> gives permits to some to mine <pb pagenum="33"/>the superior and some the inferior parts of the veins; to some he gives <lb/>the cross veins, to others the inclined veins. </s> | <s>The <emph type="italics"/>Bergmeister<emph.end type="italics"/> gives permits to some to mine <pb pagenum="33"/>the superior and some the inferior parts of the veins; to some he gives <lb/>the cross veins, to others the inclined veins. </s> |
| | |
| <s>If the man who first starts <lb/>work finds the vein to be metal-bearing or yielding other mining products, <lb/>it will not be to his advantage to cease work because the neighbourhood may <lb/>be evil, but he will guard and defend his rights both by arms and by the law. <lb/>When the <emph type="italics"/>Bergmeister<emph.end type="italics"/><emph type="sup"/>11<emph.end type="sup"/> delimits the boundaries of each owner, it is the duty <lb/>of a good miner to keep within his bounds, and of a prudent one to repel <lb/>encroachments of his neighbours by the help of the law. </s> | <s>If the man who first starts <lb/>work finds the vein to be metal-bearing or yielding other mining products, <lb/>it will not be to his advantage to cease work because the neighbourhood may <lb/>be evil, but he will guard and defend his rights both by arms and by the law. <lb/></s> |
| | |
| | <s>When the <emph type="italics"/>Bergmeister<emph.end type="italics"/><emph type="sup"/>11<emph.end type="sup"/> delimits the boundaries of each owner, it is the duty <lb/>of a good miner to keep within his bounds, and of a prudent one to repel <lb/>encroachments of his neighbours by the help of the law. </s> |
| | |
| <s>But this is enough <lb/>about the neighbourhood.</s></p><p type="main"> | <s>But this is enough <lb/>about the neighbourhood.</s></p><p type="main"> |
| | |
| |
| | |
| <s>In case metals or gems have <lb/>settled in the pool of the spring, not only should the sand from it be <lb/>washed, but also that from the streams which flow from these springs, and <lb/>even from the river itself into which they again discharge. </s> | <s>In case metals or gems have <lb/>settled in the pool of the spring, not only should the sand from it be <lb/>washed, but also that from the streams which flow from these springs, and <lb/>even from the river itself into which they again discharge. </s> |
| | |
| <s>If the springs dis­<lb/>charge water containing some juice, this also should be collected; the further <lb/>such a stream has flowed from the source, the more it receives plain water and <lb/>the more diluted does it become, and so much the more deficient in strength. <lb/>If the stream receives no water of another kind, or scarcely any, not only <lb/>the rivers, but likewise the lakes which receive these waters, are of the same <lb/>nature as the springs, and serve the same uses; of this kind is the lake <lb/>which the Hebrews call the Dead Sea, and which is quite full of bituminous <lb/>fluids<emph type="sup"/>13<emph.end type="sup"/>. </s> | <s>If the springs dis­<lb/>charge water containing some juice, this also should be collected; the further <lb/>such a stream has flowed from the source, the more it receives plain water and <lb/>the more diluted does it become, and so much the more deficient in strength. <lb/></s> |
| | |
| | <s>If the stream receives no water of another kind, or scarcely any, not only <lb/>the rivers, but likewise the lakes which receive these waters, are of the same <lb/>nature as the springs, and serve the same uses; of this kind is the lake <lb/>which the Hebrews call the Dead Sea, and which is quite full of bituminous <lb/>fluids<emph type="sup"/>13<emph.end type="sup"/>. </s> |
| | |
| <s>But I must return to the subject of the sands.</s></p><p type="main"> | <s>But I must return to the subject of the sands.</s></p><p type="main"> |
| | |
| |
| | |
| <s>Therefore in places where the grass has a dampness that is not con­<lb/>gealed into frost, there is a vein beneath: also if the exhalation be excessively <lb/>hot, the soil will produce only small and pale-coloured plants. </s> | <s>Therefore in places where the grass has a dampness that is not con­<lb/>gealed into frost, there is a vein beneath: also if the exhalation be excessively <lb/>hot, the soil will produce only small and pale-coloured plants. </s> |
| | |
| <s>Lastly, there <lb/>are trees whose foliage in spring time has a bluish or leaden tint, the upper <lb/>branches more especially being tinged with black or with any other unnatural <lb/>colour, the trunks cleft in two, and the branches black or discoloured. <lb/>These phenomena are caused by the intensely hot and dry exhalations <lb/>which do not spare even the roots, but scorching them, render the trees <lb/>sickly; wherefore the wind will more frequently uproot trees of this kind <lb/>than any others. </s> | <s>Lastly, there <lb/>are trees whose foliage in spring time has a bluish or leaden tint, the upper <lb/>branches more especially being tinged with black or with any other unnatural <lb/>colour, the trunks cleft in two, and the branches black or discoloured. <lb/></s> |
| | |
| | <s>These phenomena are caused by the intensely hot and dry exhalations <lb/>which do not spare even the roots, but scorching them, render the trees <lb/>sickly; wherefore the wind will more frequently uproot trees of this kind <lb/>than any others. </s> |
| | |
| <s>Verily the veins do emit this exhalation. </s> | <s>Verily the veins do emit this exhalation. </s> |
| | |
| |
| | |
| <s>On the other hand, those <lb/>who say that the twig is of no use to good and serious men, also deny that <lb/>the motion is due to the power of the veins, because the twigs will not move <lb/>for everybody, but only for those who employ incantations and craft. </s> | <s>On the other hand, those <lb/>who say that the twig is of no use to good and serious men, also deny that <lb/>the motion is due to the power of the veins, because the twigs will not move <lb/>for everybody, but only for those who employ incantations and craft. </s> |
| | |
| <s>More­<lb/>over, they deny the power of a vein to draw to itself the branches of trees, <lb/>but they say that the warm and dry exhalations cause these contortions. <lb/>Those who advocate the use of the twig make this reply to these objections: <lb/>when one of the miners or some other person holds the twig in his hands, <lb/>and it is not turned by the force of a vein, this is due to some peculiarity <lb/>of the individual, which hinders and impedes the power of the vein, for since <lb/>the power of the vein in turning and twisting the twig may be not unlike <lb/>that of a magnet attracting and drawing iron toward itself, this hidden <lb/>quality of a man weakens and breaks the force, just the same as garlic <lb/>weakens and overcomes the strength of a magnet. </s> | <s>More­<lb/>over, they deny the power of a vein to draw to itself the branches of trees, <lb/>but they say that the warm and dry exhalations cause these contortions. <lb/></s> |
| | |
| | <s>Those who advocate the use of the twig make this reply to these objections: <lb/>when one of the miners or some other person holds the twig in his hands, <lb/>and it is not turned by the force of a vein, this is due to some peculiarity <lb/>of the individual, which hinders and impedes the power of the vein, for since <lb/>the power of the vein in turning and twisting the twig may be not unlike <lb/>that of a magnet attracting and drawing iron toward itself, this hidden <lb/>quality of a man weakens and breaks the force, just the same as garlic <lb/>weakens and overcomes the strength of a magnet. </s> |
| | |
| <s>For a magnet smeared <lb/>with garlic juice cannot attract iron; nor does it attract the latter when <lb/>rusty. </s> | <s>For a magnet smeared <lb/>with garlic juice cannot attract iron; nor does it attract the latter when <lb/>rusty. </s> |
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| |
| | |
| <s>The <lb/>Ancients, by means of the divining rod, not only procured those things neces­<lb/>sary for a livelihood or for luxury, but they were also able to alter the forms <lb/>of things by it; as when the magicians changed the rods of the Egyptians <lb/>into serpents, as the writings of the Hebrews relate<emph type="sup"/>22<emph.end type="sup"/>; and as in Homer, <lb/>Minerva with a divining rod turned the aged Ulysses suddenly into a youth, <lb/>and then restored him back again to old age; Circe also changed Ulysses' <lb/>companions into beasts, but afterward gave them back again their human <lb/>form<emph type="sup"/>23<emph.end type="sup"/>; moreover by his rod, which was called “Caduceus,” Mercury gave <lb/><pb pagenum="41"/>sleep to watchmen and awoke slumberers<emph type="sup"/>24<emph.end type="sup"/>. </s> | <s>The <lb/>Ancients, by means of the divining rod, not only procured those things neces­<lb/>sary for a livelihood or for luxury, but they were also able to alter the forms <lb/>of things by it; as when the magicians changed the rods of the Egyptians <lb/>into serpents, as the writings of the Hebrews relate<emph type="sup"/>22<emph.end type="sup"/>; and as in Homer, <lb/>Minerva with a divining rod turned the aged Ulysses suddenly into a youth, <lb/>and then restored him back again to old age; Circe also changed Ulysses' <lb/>companions into beasts, but afterward gave them back again their human <lb/>form<emph type="sup"/>23<emph.end type="sup"/>; moreover by his rod, which was called “Caduceus,” Mercury gave <lb/><pb pagenum="41"/>sleep to watchmen and awoke slumberers<emph type="sup"/>24<emph.end type="sup"/>. </s> |
| | |
| <s>Therefore it seems that the <lb/>divining rod passed to the mines from its impure origin with the magicians. <lb/>Then when good men shrank with horror from the incantations and rejected <lb/>them, the twig was retained by the unsophisticated common miners, and <lb/>in searching for new veins some traces of these ancient usages remain.</s></p><p type="main"> | <s>Therefore it seems that the <lb/>divining rod passed to the mines from its impure origin with the magicians. <lb/></s> |
| | |
| | <s>Then when good men shrank with horror from the incantations and rejected <lb/>them, the twig was retained by the unsophisticated common miners, and <lb/>in searching for new veins some traces of these ancient usages remain.</s></p><p type="main"> |
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| <s>But since truly the twigs of the miners do move, albeit they do not <lb/>generally use incantations, some say this movement is caused by the <lb/>power of the veins, others say that it depends on the manipulation, and <lb/>still others think that the movement is due to both these causes. </s> | <s>But since truly the twigs of the miners do move, albeit they do not <lb/>generally use incantations, some say this movement is caused by the <lb/>power of the veins, others say that it depends on the manipulation, and <lb/>still others think that the movement is due to both these causes. </s> |
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| |
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| <s>Nevertheless, these things <lb/>give rise to the faith among common miners that veins are discovered by <lb/>the use of twigs, because whilst using these they do accidentally discover <lb/>some; but it more often happens that they lose their labour, and although <lb/>they might discover a vein, they become none the less exhausted in <lb/>digging useless trenches than do the miners who prospect in an unfortunate <lb/>locality. </s> | <s>Nevertheless, these things <lb/>give rise to the faith among common miners that veins are discovered by <lb/>the use of twigs, because whilst using these they do accidentally discover <lb/>some; but it more often happens that they lose their labour, and although <lb/>they might discover a vein, they become none the less exhausted in <lb/>digging useless trenches than do the miners who prospect in an unfortunate <lb/>locality. </s> |
| | |
| <s>Therefore a miner, since we think he ought to be a good and <lb/>serious man, should not make use of an enchanted twig, because if he is <lb/>prudent and skilled in the natural signs, he understands that a forked stick <lb/>is of no use to him, for as I have said before, there are the natural indica­<lb/>tions of the veins which he can see for himself without the help of twigs. <lb/>So if Nature or chance should indicate a locality suitable for mining, the <lb/>miner should dig his trenches there; if no vein appears he must dig <lb/>numerous trenches until he discovers an outcrop of a vein.</s></p><p type="main"> | <s>Therefore a miner, since we think he ought to be a good and <lb/>serious man, should not make use of an enchanted twig, because if he is <lb/>prudent and skilled in the natural signs, he understands that a forked stick <lb/>is of no use to him, for as I have said before, there are the natural indica­<lb/>tions of the veins which he can see for himself without the help of twigs. <lb/></s> |
| | |
| | <s>So if Nature or chance should indicate a locality suitable for mining, the <lb/>miner should dig his trenches there; if no vein appears he must dig <lb/>numerous trenches until he discovers an outcrop of a vein.</s></p><p type="main"> |
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| <s><emph type="italics"/>A vena dilatata<emph.end type="italics"/> is rarely discovered by men's labour, but usually some <lb/>force or other reveals it, or sometimes it is discovered by a shaft or a tunnel <lb/>on a <emph type="italics"/>vena profunda<emph.end type="italics"/><emph type="sup"/>25<emph.end type="sup"/>.<lb/></s></p><pb pagenum="42"/><p type="main"> | <s><emph type="italics"/>A vena dilatata<emph.end type="italics"/> is rarely discovered by men's labour, but usually some <lb/>force or other reveals it, or sometimes it is discovered by a shaft or a tunnel <lb/>on a <emph type="italics"/>vena profunda<emph.end type="italics"/><emph type="sup"/>25<emph.end type="sup"/>.<lb/></s></p><pb pagenum="42"/><p type="main"> |
| | |
| |
| | |
| <s>More <lb/>often the first discoverers give the names either of persons, as those of <lb/>German Kaiser, Apollo, Janus; or the name of an animal, as that of lion, <lb/>bear, ram, or cow; or of things inanimate, as “silver chest” or “ox stalls”; <lb/>or of something ridiculous, as “glutton's nightshade”; or finally, for the sake <lb/>of a good omen, they call it after the Deity. </s> | <s>More <lb/>often the first discoverers give the names either of persons, as those of <lb/>German Kaiser, Apollo, Janus; or the name of an animal, as that of lion, <lb/>bear, ram, or cow; or of things inanimate, as “silver chest” or “ox stalls”; <lb/>or of something ridiculous, as “glutton's nightshade”; or finally, for the sake <lb/>of a good omen, they call it after the Deity. </s> |
| | |
| <s>In ancient times they <lb/>followed the same custom and gave names to the veins, shafts and tunnels, <lb/>as we read in Pliny: “It is wonderful that the shafts begun by Hannibal in <lb/>Spain are still worked, their names being derived from their discoverers. <lb/>One of these at the present day, called Baebelo, furnished Hannibal with <lb/>three hundred pounds weight (of silver) per day.”<emph type="sup"/>27<emph.end type="sup"/><lb/><lb/></s></p><p type="head"> | <s>In ancient times they <lb/>followed the same custom and gave names to the veins, shafts and tunnels, <lb/>as we read in Pliny: “It is wonderful that the shafts begun by Hannibal in <lb/>Spain are still worked, their names being derived from their discoverers. <lb/></s> |
| | |
| | <s>One of these at the present day, called Baebelo, furnished Hannibal with <lb/>three hundred pounds weight (of silver) per day.”<emph type="sup"/>27<emph.end type="sup"/><lb/><lb/></s></p><p type="head"> |
| | |
| <s>END OF BOOK II.</s></p><figure></figure><pb/><p type="head"> | <s>END OF BOOK II.</s></p><figure></figure><pb/><p type="head"> |
| | |
| |
| | |
| <s>The direction in which the head of the vein comes into <lb/>the light, or the direction toward which the tail extends, is indicated by its <lb/>footwall and hangingwall. </s> | <s>The direction in which the head of the vein comes into <lb/>the light, or the direction toward which the tail extends, is indicated by its <lb/>footwall and hangingwall. </s> |
| | |
| <s>The latter is said to hang, and the former to lie. <lb/>The vein rests on the footwall, and the hangingwall overhangs it; thus, <lb/>when we descend a shaft, the part to which we turn the face is the foot­<lb/>wall and seat of the vein, that to which we turn the back is the hanging­<lb/>wall. </s> | <s>The latter is said to hang, and the former to lie. <lb/></s> |
| | |
| | <s>The vein rests on the footwall, and the hangingwall overhangs it; thus, <lb/>when we descend a shaft, the part to which we turn the face is the foot­<lb/>wall and seat of the vein, that to which we turn the back is the hanging­<lb/>wall. </s> |
| | |
| | <s>Also in another way, the head accords with the footwall and the tail <lb/>with the hangingwall, for if the footwall is toward the south, the vein <lb/>extends its head into the light toward the south; and the hangingwall, <lb/>because it is always opposite to the footwall, is then toward the north. <lb/></s> |
| | |
| <s>Also in another way, the head accords with the footwall and the tail <lb/>with the hangingwall, for if the footwall is toward the south, the vein <lb/>extends its head into the light toward the south; and the hangingwall, <lb/>because it is always opposite to the footwall, is then toward the north. <lb/>Consequently the vein extends its tail toward the north if it is an inclined <lb/><emph type="italics"/>vena profunda.<emph.end type="italics"/> Similarly, we can determine with regard to east and west <lb/>and the subordinate and their intermediate directions. </s> | <s>Consequently the vein extends its tail toward the north if it is an inclined <lb/><emph type="italics"/>vena profunda.<emph.end type="italics"/> Similarly, we can determine with regard to east and west <lb/>and the subordinate and their intermediate directions. </s> |
| | |
| <s>A <emph type="italics"/>vena profunda<emph.end type="italics"/><lb/>which descends into the earth may be either vertical, inclined, or crooked, <lb/>the footwall of an inclined vein is easily distinguished from the hangingwall, <lb/>but it is not so with a vertical vein; and again, the footwall of a crooked <lb/>vein is inverted and changed into the hangingwall, and contrariwise the <lb/>hangingwall is twisted into the footwall, but very many of these crooked <lb/>veins may be turned back to vertical or inclined ones.</s></p><pb pagenum="69"/><figure></figure><p type="caption"> | <s>A <emph type="italics"/>vena profunda<emph.end type="italics"/><lb/>which descends into the earth may be either vertical, inclined, or crooked, <lb/>the footwall of an inclined vein is easily distinguished from the hangingwall, <lb/>but it is not so with a vertical vein; and again, the footwall of a crooked <lb/>vein is inverted and changed into the hangingwall, and contrariwise the <lb/>hangingwall is twisted into the footwall, but very many of these crooked <lb/>veins may be turned back to vertical or inclined ones.</s></p><pb pagenum="69"/><figure></figure><p type="caption"> |
| | |
| |
| | |
| <s>whose hangingwalls <lb/>are also in the south, whose footwalls are in the north, and whose <lb/>heads rise toward the north; and lastly, whose rock seams raise <lb/>their heads toward the west. </s> | <s>whose hangingwalls <lb/>are also in the south, whose footwalls are in the north, and whose <lb/>heads rise toward the north; and lastly, whose rock seams raise <lb/>their heads toward the west. </s> |
| | |
| <s>In the third place, they recommend those <lb/>veins which extend from XII north to XII south, through the slope <lb/>of a mountain which faces east; whose hangingwalls are in the <lb/>west, whose footwalls are in the east; whose heads rise toward <lb/>the east; and whose rock seams raise their heads toward the north. <lb/>Therefore they devote all their energies to those veins, and give very little <lb/>or nothing to those whose heads, or the heads of whose rock seams rise <lb/>toward the south or west. </s> | <s>In the third place, they recommend those <lb/>veins which extend from XII north to XII south, through the slope <lb/>of a mountain which faces east; whose hangingwalls are in the <lb/>west, whose footwalls are in the east; whose heads rise toward <lb/>the east; and whose rock seams raise their heads toward the north. <lb/></s> |
| | |
| | <s>Therefore they devote all their energies to those veins, and give very little <lb/>or nothing to those whose heads, or the heads of whose rock seams rise <lb/>toward the south or west. </s> |
| | |
| <s>For although they say these veins some­<lb/>times show bright specks of pure metal adhering to the stones, or they come <lb/>upon lumps of metal, yet these are so few and far between that despite them <lb/>it is not worth the trouble to excavate such veins; and miners who persevere <lb/>in digging in the hope of coming upon a quantity of metal, always lose their <lb/>time and trouble. </s> | <s>For although they say these veins some­<lb/>times show bright specks of pure metal adhering to the stones, or they come <lb/>upon lumps of metal, yet these are so few and far between that despite them <lb/>it is not worth the trouble to excavate such veins; and miners who persevere <lb/>in digging in the hope of coming upon a quantity of metal, always lose their <lb/>time and trouble. </s> |
| | |
| |
| | |
| <s>In the second place, they esteem a river or a stream which <lb/>flows in the opposite course from the west toward the east, and which has <lb/>the mountains to the north and the level plain to the south. </s> | <s>In the second place, they esteem a river or a stream which <lb/>flows in the opposite course from the west toward the east, and which has <lb/>the mountains to the north and the level plain to the south. </s> |
| | |
| <s>In the third <lb/>place, they esteem the river or the stream which flows from the north to the <lb/>south and washes the base of the mountains which are situated in the east. <lb/>But they say that the river or stream is least productive of gold which flows <lb/>in a contrary direction from the south to the north, and washes the base of <pb pagenum="76"/>mountains which are situated in the west. </s> | <s>In the third <lb/>place, they esteem the river or the stream which flows from the north to the <lb/>south and washes the base of the mountains which are situated in the east. <lb/></s> |
| | |
| | <s>But they say that the river or stream is least productive of gold which flows <lb/>in a contrary direction from the south to the north, and washes the base of <pb pagenum="76"/>mountains which are situated in the west. </s> |
| | |
| <s>Lastly, of the streams or rivers <lb/>which flow from the rising sun toward the setting sun, or which flow from <lb/>the northern parts to the southern parts, they favour those which approach <lb/>the nearest to the lauded ones, and say they are more productive of gold, <lb/>and the further they depart from them the less productive they are. </s> | <s>Lastly, of the streams or rivers <lb/>which flow from the rising sun toward the setting sun, or which flow from <lb/>the northern parts to the southern parts, they favour those which approach <lb/>the nearest to the lauded ones, and say they are more productive of gold, <lb/>and the further they depart from them the less productive they are. </s> |
| | |
| |
| | |
| <s>In <lb/>memory of which miners even now call the width of every meer which is <lb/>located on a <emph type="italics"/>vena profunda<emph.end type="italics"/> a “square”<emph type="sup"/>5<emph.end type="sup"/>. </s> | <s>In <lb/>memory of which miners even now call the width of every meer which is <lb/>located on a <emph type="italics"/>vena profunda<emph.end type="italics"/> a “square”<emph type="sup"/>5<emph.end type="sup"/>. </s> |
| | |
| <s>The following was formerly the <lb/><lb/><pb pagenum="81"/>usual method of delimiting a vein: as soon as the miner found metal, he <lb/>gave information to the <emph type="italics"/>Bergmeister<emph.end type="italics"/> and the tithe-gatherer, who either <lb/>proceeded personally from the town to the mountains, or sent thither men <lb/>of good repute, at least two in number, to inspect the metal-bearing vein. <lb/>Thereupon, if they thought it of sufficient importance to survey, the <emph type="italics"/>Bergmeister<emph.end type="italics"/><lb/>again having gone forth on an appointed day, thus questioned him who first <lb/>found the vein, concerning the vein and the diggings: “Which is your <lb/>vein?” “Which digging carried metal?” Then the discoverer, pointing <lb/>his finger to his vein and diggings, indicated them, and next the <emph type="italics"/>Bergmeister<emph.end type="italics"/><lb/>ordered him to approach the windlass and place two fingers of his right hand <lb/>upon his head, and swear this oath in a clear voice: “I swear by God and <lb/>all the Saints, and I call them all to witness, that this is my vein; and more­<lb/>over if it is not mine, may neither this my head nor these my hands henceforth <lb/>perform their functions.” Then the <emph type="italics"/>Bergmeister,<emph.end type="italics"/> having started from the <lb/>centre of the windlass, proceeded to measure the vein with a cord, and to <lb/>give the measured portion to the discoverer,—in the first instance a half and <lb/>then three full measures; afterward one to the King or Prince, another to <lb/>his Consort, a third to the Master of the Horse, a fourth to the Cup-bearer, <lb/>a fifth to the Groom of the Chamber, a sixth to himself. </s> | <s>The following was formerly the <lb/><lb/><pb pagenum="81"/>usual method of delimiting a vein: as soon as the miner found metal, he <lb/>gave information to the <emph type="italics"/>Bergmeister<emph.end type="italics"/> and the tithe-gatherer, who either <lb/>proceeded personally from the town to the mountains, or sent thither men <lb/>of good repute, at least two in number, to inspect the metal-bearing vein. <lb/></s> |
| | |
| | <s>Thereupon, if they thought it of sufficient importance to survey, the <emph type="italics"/>Bergmeister<emph.end type="italics"/><lb/>again having gone forth on an appointed day, thus questioned him who first <lb/>found the vein, concerning the vein and the diggings: “Which is your <lb/>vein?” “Which digging carried metal?” Then the discoverer, pointing <lb/>his finger to his vein and diggings, indicated them, and next the <emph type="italics"/>Bergmeister<emph.end type="italics"/><lb/>ordered him to approach the windlass and place two fingers of his right hand <lb/>upon his head, and swear this oath in a clear voice: “I swear by God and <lb/>all the Saints, and I call them all to witness, that this is my vein; and more­<lb/>over if it is not mine, may neither this my head nor these my hands henceforth <lb/>perform their functions.” Then the <emph type="italics"/>Bergmeister,<emph.end type="italics"/> having started from the <lb/>centre of the windlass, proceeded to measure the vein with a cord, and to <lb/>give the measured portion to the discoverer,—in the first instance a half and <lb/>then three full measures; afterward one to the King or Prince, another to <lb/>his Consort, a third to the Master of the Horse, a fourth to the Cup-bearer, <lb/>a fifth to the Groom of the Chamber, a sixth to himself. </s> |
| | |
| <s>Then, starting <lb/>from the other side of the windlass, he proceeded to measure the vein in a <lb/>similar manner. </s> | <s>Then, starting <lb/>from the other side of the windlass, he proceeded to measure the vein in a <lb/>similar manner. </s> |
| | |
| |
| | |
| <s>Of the width of every meer, whether old or new, one-half lies on the <lb/>footwall side of a <emph type="italics"/>vena profunda<emph.end type="italics"/> and one half on the hangingwall side. </s> | <s>Of the width of every meer, whether old or new, one-half lies on the <lb/>footwall side of a <emph type="italics"/>vena profunda<emph.end type="italics"/> and one half on the hangingwall side. </s> |
| | |
| <s>If <lb/>the vein descends vertically into the earth, the boundaries similarly descend <pb pagenum="82"/>vertically; but if the vein inclines, the boundaries likewise will be inclined. <lb/>The owner always holds the mining right for the width of the meer, however <lb/>far the vein descends into the depth of the earth.<emph type="sup"/>6<emph.end type="sup"/> Further, the <emph type="italics"/>Bergmeíster,<emph.end type="italics"/><lb/>on application being made to him, grants to one owner or company a right <pb pagenum="83"/>over not only the head meer, or another meer, but also the head meer and <lb/>the next meer or two adjoining meers. </s> | <s>If <lb/>the vein descends vertically into the earth, the boundaries similarly descend <pb pagenum="82"/>vertically; but if the vein inclines, the boundaries likewise will be inclined. <lb/></s> |
| | |
| | <s>The owner always holds the mining right for the width of the meer, however <lb/>far the vein descends into the depth of the earth.<emph type="sup"/>6<emph.end type="sup"/> Further, the <emph type="italics"/>Bergmeíster,<emph.end type="italics"/><lb/>on application being made to him, grants to one owner or company a right <pb pagenum="83"/>over not only the head meer, or another meer, but also the head meer and <lb/>the next meer or two adjoining meers. </s> |
| | |
| <s>So much for the shape of meers <lb/>and their dimensions in the case of a <emph type="italics"/>vena profunda.<emph.end type="italics"/></s></p><p type="main"> | <s>So much for the shape of meers <lb/>and their dimensions in the case of a <emph type="italics"/>vena profunda.<emph.end type="italics"/></s></p><p type="main"> |
| | |
| |
| | |
| <s>Through it the water <lb/>flows off, so that the place is made dry and fit for digging. </s> | <s>Through it the water <lb/>flows off, so that the place is made dry and fit for digging. </s> |
| | |
| <s>But if it is not <lb/>sufficiently dried by this open ditch, or if a shaft which he has now for <lb/>the first time begun to sink is suffering from overmuch water, he goes to <lb/>the <emph type="italics"/>Bergmeister<emph.end type="italics"/> and asks that official to give him the right for a tunnel. <lb/>Having obtained leave, he drives the tunnel, and into its drains all the <lb/>water is diverted, so that the place or shaft is made fit for digging. </s> | <s>But if it is not <lb/>sufficiently dried by this open ditch, or if a shaft which he has now for <lb/>the first time begun to sink is suffering from overmuch water, he goes to <lb/>the <emph type="italics"/>Bergmeister<emph.end type="italics"/> and asks that official to give him the right for a tunnel. <lb/></s> |
| | |
| | <s>Having obtained leave, he drives the tunnel, and into its drains all the <lb/>water is diverted, so that the place or shaft is made fit for digging. </s> |
| | |
| <s>If <lb/>it is not seven fathoms from the surface of the earth to the bottom of this <lb/>kind of tunnel, the owner possesses no rights except this one: namely, that <lb/>the owners of the mines, from whose leases the owner of the tunnel extracts <lb/>gold or silver, themselves pay him the sum he expends within their meer in <lb/>driving the tunnel through it.</s></p><p type="main"> | <s>If <lb/>it is not seven fathoms from the surface of the earth to the bottom of this <lb/>kind of tunnel, the owner possesses no rights except this one: namely, that <lb/>the owners of the mines, from whose leases the owner of the tunnel extracts <lb/>gold or silver, themselves pay him the sum he expends within their meer in <lb/>driving the tunnel through it.</s></p><p type="main"> |
| | |
| |
| | |
| <s>To these there has lately been added in some places one share <lb/>for the most needy of the population, which makes one hundred and twenty­<lb/>nine shares. </s> | <s>To these there has lately been added in some places one share <lb/>for the most needy of the population, which makes one hundred and twenty­<lb/>nine shares. </s> |
| | |
| <s>It is only the private owners of mines who pay contributions. <lb/>A proprietary holder, though he holds as many as four shares such as I have <lb/>described, does not pay contributions, but gratuitiously supplies the owners <lb/>of the mines with sufficient wood from his forests for timbering, machinery, <lb/>buildings, and smelting; nor do those belonging to the State, Church, and <lb/>the poor pay contributions, but the proceeds are used to build or repair <lb/>public works and sacred buildings, and to support the most needy with the <lb/>profits which they draw from the mines. </s> | <s>It is only the private owners of mines who pay contributions. <lb/></s> |
| | |
| | <s>A proprietary holder, though he holds as many as four shares such as I have <lb/>described, does not pay contributions, but gratuitiously supplies the owners <lb/>of the mines with sufficient wood from his forests for timbering, machinery, <lb/>buildings, and smelting; nor do those belonging to the State, Church, and <lb/>the poor pay contributions, but the proceeds are used to build or repair <lb/>public works and sacred buildings, and to support the most needy with the <lb/>profits which they draw from the mines. </s> |
| | |
| <s>Furthermore, in our State, the <lb/>one hundred and twenty-eighth share has begun to be divided into two, <lb/>four, or eight parts, or even into three, six, twelve, or smaller parts. </s> | <s>Furthermore, in our State, the <lb/>one hundred and twenty-eighth share has begun to be divided into two, <lb/>four, or eight parts, or even into three, six, twelve, or smaller parts. </s> |
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| |
| | |
| <s>From the Annaberg mine which is known as the Himmelich Höz, <lb/>they had a dole of eight hundred thaler; from a mine in Joachimsthal <lb/>which is named the Sternen, three hundred thaler; from the head mine at <lb/>Abertham, which is called St. </s> | <s>From the Annaberg mine which is known as the Himmelich Höz, <lb/>they had a dole of eight hundred thaler; from a mine in Joachimsthal <lb/>which is named the Sternen, three hundred thaler; from the head mine at <lb/>Abertham, which is called St. </s> |
| | |
| <s>Lorentz, two hundred and twenty-five thaler<emph type="sup"/>12<emph.end type="sup"/>. <lb/>The more shares of which any individual is owner the more profits he takes.</s></p><p type="main"> | <s>Lorentz, two hundred and twenty-five thaler<emph type="sup"/>12<emph.end type="sup"/>. <lb/></s> |
| | |
| | <s>The more shares of which any individual is owner the more profits he takes.</s></p><p type="main"> |
| | |
| <s>I will now explain how the owners may lose or obtain the right over a <lb/>mine, or a tunnel, or a share. </s> | <s>I will now explain how the owners may lose or obtain the right over a <lb/>mine, or a tunnel, or a share. </s> |
| | |
| <s>Formerly, if anyone was able to prove by <lb/>witnesses that the owners had failed to send miners for three continuous <lb/>shifts<emph type="sup"/>13<emph.end type="sup"/>, the <emph type="italics"/>Bergmeíster<emph.end type="italics"/> deprived them of their right over the mine, and <lb/>gave the right over it to the informer, if he desired it. </s> | <s>Formerly, if anyone was able to prove by <lb/>witnesses that the owners had failed to send miners for three continuous <lb/>shifts<emph type="sup"/>13<emph.end type="sup"/>, the <emph type="italics"/>Bergmeíster<emph.end type="italics"/> deprived them of their right over the mine, and <lb/>gave the right over it to the informer, if he desired it. </s> |
| | |
| <s>But although miners <lb/>preserve this custom to-day, still mining share owners who have paid <lb/>their contributions do not lose their right over their mines against their will. <lb/>Formerly, if water which had not been drawn off from the higher shaft of <lb/>some mine percolated through a vein or stringer into the shaft of another <lb/>mine and impeded their work, then the owners of the mine which suffered <lb/>the damage went to the <emph type="italics"/>Bergmeíster<emph.end type="italics"/> and complained of the loss, and he sent <lb/>to the shafts two Jurors. </s> | <s>But although miners <lb/>preserve this custom to-day, still mining share owners who have paid <lb/>their contributions do not lose their right over their mines against their will. <lb/></s> |
| | |
| | <s>Formerly, if water which had not been drawn off from the higher shaft of <lb/>some mine percolated through a vein or stringer into the shaft of another <lb/>mine and impeded their work, then the owners of the mine which suffered <lb/>the damage went to the <emph type="italics"/>Bergmeíster<emph.end type="italics"/> and complained of the loss, and he sent <lb/>to the shafts two Jurors. </s> |
| | |
| <s>If they found that matters were as claimed, <lb/>the right over the mine which caused the injury was given to the owners <lb/>who suffered the injury. </s> | <s>If they found that matters were as claimed, <lb/>the right over the mine which caused the injury was given to the owners <lb/>who suffered the injury. </s> |
| | |
| <s>But this custom in certain places has been changed, <lb/>for the <emph type="italics"/>Bergmeíster,<emph.end type="italics"/> if he finds this condition of things proved in the case <lb/>of two shafts, orders the owners of the shaft which causes the injury to <lb/>contribute part of the expense to the owners of the shaft which receives the <lb/>injury; if they fail to do so, he then deprives them of their right over their <lb/>mine; on the other hand, if the owners send men to the workings to dig <lb/>and draw off the water from the shafts, they keep their right over their <lb/>mine. </s> | <s>But this custom in certain places has been changed, <lb/>for the <emph type="italics"/>Bergmeíster,<emph.end type="italics"/> if he finds this condition of things proved in the case <lb/>of two shafts, orders the owners of the shaft which causes the injury to <lb/>contribute part of the expense to the owners of the shaft which receives the <lb/>injury; if they fail to do so, he then deprives them of their right over their <lb/>mine; on the other hand, if the owners send men to the workings to dig <lb/>and draw off the water from the shafts, they keep their right over their <lb/>mine. </s> |
| | |
| <s>Formerly owners used to obtain a right over any tunnel, firstly, if <lb/>in its bottom they made drains and cleansed them of mud and sand so that <lb/>the water might flow out without any hindrance, and restored those drains <lb/>which had been damaged; secondly, if they provided shafts or openings to <lb/>supply the miners with air, and restored those which had fallen in; and <lb/>finally, if three miners were employed continuously in driving the tunnel. <lb/>But the principal reason for losing the title to a tunnel was that for a period <lb/>of eight days no miner was employed upon it; therefore, when anyone <lb/>was able to prove by witnesses that the owners of a tunnel had not done <lb/>these things, he brought his accusation before the <emph type="italics"/>Bergmeíster,<emph.end type="italics"/> who, after <lb/>going out from the town to the tunnel and inspecting the drains and the <lb/>ventilating machines and everything else, and finding the charge to be true, <lb/>placed the witness under oath, and asked him: “Whose tunnel is this at the <lb/>present time?” The witness would reply: “The King's” or “The <lb/><pb pagenum="93"/>Prince's.” Thereupon the <emph type="italics"/>Bergmeíster<emph.end type="italics"/> gave the right over the tunnel to <lb/>the first applicant. </s> | <s>Formerly owners used to obtain a right over any tunnel, firstly, if <lb/>in its bottom they made drains and cleansed them of mud and sand so that <lb/>the water might flow out without any hindrance, and restored those drains <lb/>which had been damaged; secondly, if they provided shafts or openings to <lb/>supply the miners with air, and restored those which had fallen in; and <lb/>finally, if three miners were employed continuously in driving the tunnel. <lb/></s> |
| | |
| | <s>But the principal reason for losing the title to a tunnel was that for a period <lb/>of eight days no miner was employed upon it; therefore, when anyone <lb/>was able to prove by witnesses that the owners of a tunnel had not done <lb/>these things, he brought his accusation before the <emph type="italics"/>Bergmeíster,<emph.end type="italics"/> who, after <lb/>going out from the town to the tunnel and inspecting the drains and the <lb/>ventilating machines and everything else, and finding the charge to be true, <lb/>placed the witness under oath, and asked him: “Whose tunnel is this at the <lb/>present time?” The witness would reply: “The King's” or “The <lb/><pb pagenum="93"/>Prince's.” Thereupon the <emph type="italics"/>Bergmeíster<emph.end type="italics"/> gave the right over the tunnel to <lb/>the first applicant. </s> |
| | |
| <s>This was the severe rule under which the owners at one <lb/>time lost their rights over a tunnel; but its severity is now considerably <lb/>mitigated, for the owners do not now forthwith lose their right over a tunnel <lb/>through not having cleaned out the drains and restored the shafts or <lb/>ventilation holes which have suffered damage; but the <emph type="italics"/>Bergmeister<emph.end type="italics"/> orders <lb/>the tunnel manager to do it, and if he does not obey, the authorities fine <lb/>the tunnel. </s> | <s>This was the severe rule under which the owners at one <lb/>time lost their rights over a tunnel; but its severity is now considerably <lb/>mitigated, for the owners do not now forthwith lose their right over a tunnel <lb/>through not having cleaned out the drains and restored the shafts or <lb/>ventilation holes which have suffered damage; but the <emph type="italics"/>Bergmeister<emph.end type="italics"/> orders <lb/>the tunnel manager to do it, and if he does not obey, the authorities fine <lb/>the tunnel. </s> |
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| |
| | |
| <s>But any other owner is allowed to start from the <lb/>established mark and drive the tunnel further, if he pays the former owners <lb/>of the tunnel as much money every three months as the <emph type="italics"/>Bergmeíster<emph.end type="italics"/> decides <lb/>ought to be paid.</s></p><p type="main"> | <s>But any other owner is allowed to start from the <lb/>established mark and drive the tunnel further, if he pays the former owners <lb/>of the tunnel as much money every three months as the <emph type="italics"/>Bergmeíster<emph.end type="italics"/> decides <lb/>ought to be paid.</s></p><p type="main"> |
| | |
| <s>There remain for discussion, the shares in the mines and tunnels. <lb/>Formerly if anybody conveyed these shares to anyone else, and the latter <lb/>had once paid his contribution, the seller<emph type="sup"/>14<emph.end type="sup"/> was bound to stand by his bargain, <lb/>and this custom to-day has the force of law. </s> | <s>There remain for discussion, the shares in the mines and tunnels. <lb/></s> |
| | |
| | <s>Formerly if anybody conveyed these shares to anyone else, and the latter <lb/>had once paid his contribution, the seller<emph type="sup"/>14<emph.end type="sup"/> was bound to stand by his bargain, <lb/>and this custom to-day has the force of law. </s> |
| | |
| <s>But if the seller denied that the <lb/>contribution had been paid, while the buyer of the shares declared that he could <lb/>prove by witnesses that he had paid his contribution to the other proprietors, <lb/>and a case arose for trial, then the evidence of the other proprietors carried <lb/>more weight than the oath of the seller. </s> | <s>But if the seller denied that the <lb/>contribution had been paid, while the buyer of the shares declared that he could <lb/>prove by witnesses that he had paid his contribution to the other proprietors, <lb/>and a case arose for trial, then the evidence of the other proprietors carried <lb/>more weight than the oath of the seller. </s> |
| | |
| |
| | |
| <s>If, how­<pb pagenum="94"/>ever, on the third, or at latest the fourth day, they pay their contributions <lb/>to the manager of the mine or tunnel, and pay the money which is due from <lb/>them to the Share Clerk, he removes their shares from the proscribed <lb/>list. </s> | <s>If, how­<pb pagenum="94"/>ever, on the third, or at latest the fourth day, they pay their contributions <lb/>to the manager of the mine or tunnel, and pay the money which is due from <lb/>them to the Share Clerk, he removes their shares from the proscribed <lb/>list. </s> |
| | |
| <s>They are not thereupon restored to their former position unless the <lb/>other owners consent; in which respect the custom now in use differs from <lb/>the old practice, for to-day if the owners of shares constituting anything <lb/>over half the mine consent to the restoration of those who have been <lb/>proscribed, the others are obliged to consent whether they wish to or not. <lb/>Formerly, unless such restoration had been sanctioned by the approval of <lb/>the owners of one hundred shares, those who had been proscribed were not <lb/>restored to their former position.</s></p><p type="main"> | <s>They are not thereupon restored to their former position unless the <lb/>other owners consent; in which respect the custom now in use differs from <lb/>the old practice, for to-day if the owners of shares constituting anything <lb/>over half the mine consent to the restoration of those who have been <lb/>proscribed, the others are obliged to consent whether they wish to or not. <lb/></s> |
| | |
| | <s>Formerly, unless such restoration had been sanctioned by the approval of <lb/>the owners of one hundred shares, those who had been proscribed were not <lb/>restored to their former position.</s></p><p type="main"> |
| | |
| <s>The procedure in suits relating to shares was formerly as follows: he <lb/>who instituted a suit and took legal proceedings against another in respect <lb/>of the shares, used to make a formal charge against the accused possessor <lb/>before the <emph type="italics"/>Bergmeíster.<emph.end type="italics"/> This was done either at his house or in some public <lb/>place or at the mines, once each day for three days if the shares belonged to <lb/>an old mine, and three times in eight days if they belonged to a head­<lb/>meer. </s> | <s>The procedure in suits relating to shares was formerly as follows: he <lb/>who instituted a suit and took legal proceedings against another in respect <lb/>of the shares, used to make a formal charge against the accused possessor <lb/>before the <emph type="italics"/>Bergmeíster.<emph.end type="italics"/> This was done either at his house or in some public <lb/>place or at the mines, once each day for three days if the shares belonged to <lb/>an old mine, and three times in eight days if they belonged to a head­<lb/>meer. </s> |
| | |
| |
| | |
| <s>The old <lb/><emph type="italics"/>Bergmeíster<emph.end type="italics"/> could try everything which was presented to him in any mine <lb/>whatsoever; whereas the judge could only try the things which were done <lb/>in his own district, in the same way that every modern <emph type="italics"/>Bergmeíster<emph.end type="italics"/> can.</s></p><p type="main"> | <s>The old <lb/><emph type="italics"/>Bergmeíster<emph.end type="italics"/> could try everything which was presented to him in any mine <lb/>whatsoever; whereas the judge could only try the things which were done <lb/>in his own district, in the same way that every modern <emph type="italics"/>Bergmeíster<emph.end type="italics"/> can.</s></p><p type="main"> |
| | |
| <s>To each <emph type="italics"/>Bergmeister<emph.end type="italics"/> is attached a clerk, who writes out a schedule <lb/>signifying to the applicant for a right over a mine, the day and hour on which <lb/>the right is granted, the name of the applicant, and the location of the mine. <lb/>He also affixes at the entrance to the mine, quarterly, at the appointed time, <lb/>a sheet of paper on which is shown how much contribution must be paid to <lb/>the manager of the mine. </s> | <s>To each <emph type="italics"/>Bergmeister<emph.end type="italics"/> is attached a clerk, who writes out a schedule <lb/>signifying to the applicant for a right over a mine, the day and hour on which <lb/>the right is granted, the name of the applicant, and the location of the mine. <lb/></s> |
| | |
| | <s>He also affixes at the entrance to the mine, quarterly, at the appointed time, <lb/>a sheet of paper on which is shown how much contribution must be paid to <lb/>the manager of the mine. </s> |
| | |
| <s>These notices are prepared jointly with the <pb pagenum="96"/>Mining Clerk, and in common they receive the fee rendered by the foremen <lb/>of the separate mines.</s></p><p type="main"> | <s>These notices are prepared jointly with the <pb pagenum="96"/>Mining Clerk, and in common they receive the fee rendered by the foremen <lb/>of the separate mines.</s></p><p type="main"> |
| | |
| |
| | |
| <s>In this book<emph type="sup"/>1<emph.end type="sup"/> I will <lb/>in like manner explain the principles of under­<lb/>ground mining and the art of surveying. </s> | <s>In this book<emph type="sup"/>1<emph.end type="sup"/> I will <lb/>in like manner explain the principles of under­<lb/>ground mining and the art of surveying. </s> |
| | |
| <s>First <lb/>then, I will proceed to deal with those matters <lb/>which pertain to the former heading, since both the <lb/>subject and methodical arrangement require it. <lb/>And so I will describe first of all the digging of <lb/>shafts, tunnels, and drifts on <emph type="italics"/>venae profundae;<emph.end type="italics"/> next I will discuss the good <lb/>indications shown by <emph type="italics"/>canales<emph.end type="italics"/><emph type="sup"/>2<emph.end type="sup"/>, by the materials which are dug out, and by <lb/>the rocks; then I will speak of the tools by which veins and rocks are broken <lb/>down and excavated; the method by which fire shatters the hard veins; <lb/>and further, of the machines with which water is drawn from the shafts <lb/>and air is forced into deep shafts and long tunnels, for digging is impeded <lb/>by the inrush of the former or the failure of the latter; next I will deal <lb/>with the two kinds of shafts, and with the making of them and of tunnels; <lb/>and finally, I will describe the method of mining <emph type="italics"/>venae dilatatae, venae cumu­<lb/>latae,<emph.end type="italics"/> and stringers.<lb/></s></p><pb pagenum="102"/><p type="main"> | <s>First <lb/>then, I will proceed to deal with those matters <lb/>which pertain to the former heading, since both the <lb/>subject and methodical arrangement require it. <lb/></s> |
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| | <s>And so I will describe first of all the digging of <lb/>shafts, tunnels, and drifts on <emph type="italics"/>venae profundae;<emph.end type="italics"/> next I will discuss the good <lb/>indications shown by <emph type="italics"/>canales<emph.end type="italics"/><emph type="sup"/>2<emph.end type="sup"/>, by the materials which are dug out, and by <lb/>the rocks; then I will speak of the tools by which veins and rocks are broken <lb/>down and excavated; the method by which fire shatters the hard veins; <lb/>and further, of the machines with which water is drawn from the shafts <lb/>and air is forced into deep shafts and long tunnels, for digging is impeded <lb/>by the inrush of the former or the failure of the latter; next I will deal <lb/>with the two kinds of shafts, and with the making of them and of tunnels; <lb/>and finally, I will describe the method of mining <emph type="italics"/>venae dilatatae, venae cumu­<lb/>latae,<emph.end type="italics"/> and stringers.<lb/></s></p><pb pagenum="102"/><p type="main"> |
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| <s>Now when a miner discovers a <emph type="italics"/>vena profunda<emph.end type="italics"/> he begins sinking a shaft <lb/>and above it sets up a windlass, and builds a shed over the shaft to prevent <lb/>the rain from falling in, lest the men who turn the windlass be numbed <lb/>by the cold or troubled by the rain. </s> | <s>Now when a miner discovers a <emph type="italics"/>vena profunda<emph.end type="italics"/> he begins sinking a shaft <lb/>and above it sets up a windlass, and builds a shed over the shaft to prevent <lb/>the rain from falling in, lest the men who turn the windlass be numbed <lb/>by the cold or troubled by the rain. </s> |
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| <s>The windlass men also place their <lb/>barrows in it, and the miners store their iron tools and other implements therein. <lb/>Next to the shaft-house another house is built, where the mine foreman and the <lb/>other workmen dwell, and in which are stored the ore and other things which <lb/>are dug out. </s> | <s>The windlass men also place their <lb/>barrows in it, and the miners store their iron tools and other implements therein. <lb/></s> |
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| | <s>Next to the shaft-house another house is built, where the mine foreman and the <lb/>other workmen dwell, and in which are stored the ore and other things which <lb/>are dug out. </s> |
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| <s>Although some persons build only one house, yet because <lb/>sometimes boys and other living things fall into the shafts, most miners <lb/>deliberately place one house apart from the other, or at least separate them <lb/>by a wall.</s></p><p type="main"> | <s>Although some persons build only one house, yet because <lb/>sometimes boys and other living things fall into the shafts, most miners <lb/>deliberately place one house apart from the other, or at least separate them <lb/>by a wall.</s></p><p type="main"> |
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| <s>But as for <lb/>some shafts, though they have already been sunk to the required depth, <lb/>the tunnel which is to pierce the mountain may not yet have been driven <lb/>far enough to connect with them.</s></p><p type="main"> | <s>But as for <lb/>some shafts, though they have already been sunk to the required depth, <lb/>the tunnel which is to pierce the mountain may not yet have been driven <lb/>far enough to connect with them.</s></p><p type="main"> |
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| <s>It is advantageous if a shaft connects with a tunnel, for then the miners <lb/>and other workmen carry on more easily the work they have undertaken; <lb/>but if the shaft is not so deep, it is usual to drift from one or both sides of it. <lb/>From these openings the owner or foreman becomes acquainted with the <lb/>veins and stringers that unite with the principal vein, or cut across it, or <pb pagenum="103"/>divide it obliquely; however, my discourse is now concerned mainly with <lb/><emph type="italics"/>vena profunda,<emph.end type="italics"/> but most of all with the metallic material which it contains. </s></p><figure></figure><p type="caption"> | <s>It is advantageous if a shaft connects with a tunnel, for then the miners <lb/>and other workmen carry on more easily the work they have undertaken; <lb/>but if the shaft is not so deep, it is usual to drift from one or both sides of it. <lb/></s> |
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| | <s>From these openings the owner or foreman becomes acquainted with the <lb/>veins and stringers that unite with the principal vein, or cut across it, or <pb pagenum="103"/>divide it obliquely; however, my discourse is now concerned mainly with <lb/><emph type="italics"/>vena profunda,<emph.end type="italics"/> but most of all with the metallic material which it contains. </s></p><figure></figure><p type="caption"> |
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| <s>THREE VERTICAL SHAFTS, OF WHICH THE FIRST, A, DOES NOT REACH THE TUNNEL; THE <lb/>SECOND, B, REACHES THE TUNNEL; TO THE THIRD, C, THE TUNNEL HAS NOT YET BEEN <lb/>DRIVEN. D—TUNNEL.<pb pagenum="104"/>Excavations of this kind were called by the Greeks <foreign lang="greek">kruptai</foreign> for, extending <lb/>along after the manner of a tunnel, they are entirely hidden within the </s></p><figure></figure><p type="caption"> | <s>THREE VERTICAL SHAFTS, OF WHICH THE FIRST, A, DOES NOT REACH THE TUNNEL; THE <lb/>SECOND, B, REACHES THE TUNNEL; TO THE THIRD, C, THE TUNNEL HAS NOT YET BEEN <lb/>DRIVEN. D—TUNNEL.<pb pagenum="104"/>Excavations of this kind were called by the Greeks <foreign lang="greek">kruptai</foreign> for, extending <lb/>along after the manner of a tunnel, they are entirely hidden within the </s></p><figure></figure><p type="caption"> |
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| <s>Nay, further, these same miners, if no stringer or cross­<lb/>vein intersects the main vein so that they can follow it in their workings, <lb/>even cross-cut through the solid rock of the hangingwall or footwall. </s> | <s>Nay, further, these same miners, if no stringer or cross­<lb/>vein intersects the main vein so that they can follow it in their workings, <lb/>even cross-cut through the solid rock of the hangingwall or footwall. </s> |
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| <s>These <lb/>cross-cuts are likewise called “<foreign lang="greek">kruptai/,</foreign>” whether the beginning of the <lb/>opening which has to be undertaken is made from a tunnel or from a drift. <lb/>Miners have some hope when only a cross vein cuts a main vein. </s> | <s>These <lb/>cross-cuts are likewise called “<foreign lang="greek">kruptai/,</foreign>” whether the beginning of the <lb/>opening which has to be undertaken is made from a tunnel or from a drift. <lb/></s> |
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| | <s>Miners have some hope when only a cross vein cuts a main vein. </s> |
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| <s>Further, <lb/>if a vein which cuts the main vein obliquely does not appear anywhere <lb/>beyond it, it is advisable to dig into that side of the main vein toward which <lb/>the oblique vein inclines, whether the right or left side, that we may ascer­<lb/>tain if the main vein has absorbed it; if after cross-cutting six fathoms it <lb/>is not found, it is advisable to dig on the other side of the main vein, that <lb/>we may know for certain whether it has carried it forward. </s> | <s>Further, <lb/>if a vein which cuts the main vein obliquely does not appear anywhere <lb/>beyond it, it is advisable to dig into that side of the main vein toward which <lb/>the oblique vein inclines, whether the right or left side, that we may ascer­<lb/>tain if the main vein has absorbed it; if after cross-cutting six fathoms it <lb/>is not found, it is advisable to dig on the other side of the main vein, that <lb/>we may know for certain whether it has carried it forward. </s> |
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| <s>If the miners find no stringers or veins in the hangingwall or footwall of <lb/>the main vein, and if they do not find much ore, it is not worth while to <lb/>undertake the labour of sinking another shaft. </s> | <s>If the miners find no stringers or veins in the hangingwall or footwall of <lb/>the main vein, and if they do not find much ore, it is not worth while to <lb/>undertake the labour of sinking another shaft. </s> |
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| <s>Nor ought a shaft to be sunk <lb/>where a vein is divided into two or three parts, unless the indications are <lb/>satisfactory that those parts may be united and joined together a little later. <lb/>Further, it is a bad indication for a vein rich in mineral to bend and turn <lb/>hither and thither, for unless it goes down again into the ground vertically or <lb/>inclined, as it first began, it produces no more metal; and even though it <lb/>does go down again, it often continues barren. </s> | <s>Nor ought a shaft to be sunk <lb/>where a vein is divided into two or three parts, unless the indications are <lb/>satisfactory that those parts may be united and joined together a little later. <lb/></s> |
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| | <s>Further, it is a bad indication for a vein rich in mineral to bend and turn <lb/>hither and thither, for unless it goes down again into the ground vertically or <lb/>inclined, as it first began, it produces no more metal; and even though it <lb/>does go down again, it often continues barren. </s> |
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| <s>Stringers which in their <lb/>outcrops bear metals, often disappoint miners, no metal being found in depth. <lb/>Further, inverted seams in the rocks are counted among the bad indications.</s></p><p type="main"> | <s>Stringers which in their <lb/>outcrops bear metals, often disappoint miners, no metal being found in depth. <lb/></s> |
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| | <s>Further, inverted seams in the rocks are counted among the bad indications.</s></p><p type="main"> |
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| <s>The miners hew out the whole of solid veins when they show clear evidence <lb/>of being of good quality; similarly they hew out the drusy<emph type="sup"/>4<emph.end type="sup"/> veins, <lb/>especially if the cavities are plainly seen to have formerly borne metal, or <lb/>if the cavities are few and small. </s> | <s>The miners hew out the whole of solid veins when they show clear evidence <lb/>of being of good quality; similarly they hew out the drusy<emph type="sup"/>4<emph.end type="sup"/> veins, <lb/>especially if the cavities are plainly seen to have formerly borne metal, or <lb/>if the cavities are few and small. </s> |
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| <s>This <lb/>then, generally speaking, is the mode of dealing with stringers and veins.</s></p><p type="main"> | <s>This <lb/>then, generally speaking, is the mode of dealing with stringers and veins.</s></p><p type="main"> |
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| <s>Let us now consider the metallic material which is found in the <emph type="italics"/>canales<emph.end type="italics"/><lb/>of <emph type="italics"/>venae profundae, venae dilatatae,<emph.end type="italics"/> and <emph type="italics"/>venae cumulatae,<emph.end type="italics"/> being in all these <lb/>either cohesive and continuous, or scattered and dispersed among them, <lb/>or swelling out in bellying shapes, or found in veins or stringers which <lb/>originate from the main vein and ramify like branches; but these latter veins <lb/>and stringers are very short, for after a little space they do not appear again. <lb/>If we come across a small quantity of metallic material it is an indication; <lb/>but if a large quantity, it is not an “indication,” but the very thing for <lb/>which we explore the earth. </s> | <s>Let us now consider the metallic material which is found in the <emph type="italics"/>canales<emph.end type="italics"/><lb/>of <emph type="italics"/>venae profundae, venae dilatatae,<emph.end type="italics"/> and <emph type="italics"/>venae cumulatae,<emph.end type="italics"/> being in all these <lb/>either cohesive and continuous, or scattered and dispersed among them, <lb/>or swelling out in bellying shapes, or found in veins or stringers which <lb/>originate from the main vein and ramify like branches; but these latter veins <lb/>and stringers are very short, for after a little space they do not appear again. <lb/></s> |
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| | <s>If we come across a small quantity of metallic material it is an indication; <lb/>but if a large quantity, it is not an “indication,” but the very thing for <lb/>which we explore the earth. </s> |
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| <s>As soon as a miner who searches for veins <lb/>discovers pure metal or minerals, or rich metallic material, or a great <lb/>abundance of material which is poor in metal, let him sink a shaft on the <lb/>spot without any delay. </s> | <s>As soon as a miner who searches for veins <lb/>discovers pure metal or minerals, or rich metallic material, or a great <lb/>abundance of material which is poor in metal, let him sink a shaft on the <lb/>spot without any delay. </s> |
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| <s>These must be reckoned as the richest ores, because the gold <lb/>exceeds the stone or earth in weight. </s> | <s>These must be reckoned as the richest ores, because the gold <lb/>exceeds the stone or earth in weight. </s> |
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| <s>Next come all gold ores of which each. <lb/>one hundred <emph type="italics"/>librae<emph.end type="italics"/> contains more than three <emph type="italics"/>uncíae<emph.end type="italics"/> of gold<emph type="sup"/>7<emph.end type="sup"/>; for although but <lb/>a small proportion of gold is found in the earth or stone, yet it equals in value <lb/>other metals of greater weight.<emph type="sup"/>8<emph.end type="sup"/> All other gold ores are considered poor, because <lb/><lb/><pb pagenum="109"/>the earth or stone too far outweighs the gold. </s> | <s>Next come all gold ores of which each. <lb/></s> |
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| | <s>one hundred <emph type="italics"/>librae<emph.end type="italics"/> contains more than three <emph type="italics"/>uncíae<emph.end type="italics"/> of gold<emph type="sup"/>7<emph.end type="sup"/>; for although but <lb/>a small proportion of gold is found in the earth or stone, yet it equals in value <lb/>other metals of greater weight.<emph type="sup"/>8<emph.end type="sup"/> All other gold ores are considered poor, because <lb/><lb/><pb pagenum="109"/>the earth or stone too far outweighs the gold. </s> |
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| <s>A vein which contains a <lb/>larger proportion of silver than of gold is rarely found to be a rich one. <lb/>Earth, whether it be dry or wet, rarely abounds in gold; but in dry earth <lb/>there is more often found a greater quantity of gold, especially if it has the <pb pagenum="110"/>appearance of having been melted in a furnace, and if it is not lacking in <lb/>scales resembling mica. </s> | <s>A vein which contains a <lb/>larger proportion of silver than of gold is rarely found to be a rich one. <lb/></s> |
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| | <s>Earth, whether it be dry or wet, rarely abounds in gold; but in dry earth <lb/>there is more often found a greater quantity of gold, especially if it has the <pb pagenum="110"/>appearance of having been melted in a furnace, and if it is not lacking in <lb/>scales resembling mica. </s> |
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| <s>The solidified juices, azure, chrysocolla, orpiment, <lb/>and realgar, also frequently contain gold. </s> | <s>The solidified juices, azure, chrysocolla, orpiment, <lb/>and realgar, also frequently contain gold. </s> |
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| <s>Dark or black or horn or liver-coloured quartz is usually a good <lb/>sign; white is sometimes good, sometimes no sign at all. </s> | <s>Dark or black or horn or liver-coloured quartz is usually a good <lb/>sign; white is sometimes good, sometimes no sign at all. </s> |
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| <s>But calc-spar, <lb/>showing itself in a <emph type="italics"/>vena profunda,<emph.end type="italics"/> if it disappears a little lower down is not a <lb/>good indication; for it did not belong to the vein proper, but to some stringer. <lb/>Those kinds of stone which easily melt in fire, especially if they are translucent <lb/>(fluorspar?), must be counted among the medium indications, for if other <lb/>good indications are present they are good, but if no good indications are <lb/>present, they give no useful significance. </s> | <s>But calc-spar, <lb/>showing itself in a <emph type="italics"/>vena profunda,<emph.end type="italics"/> if it disappears a little lower down is not a <lb/>good indication; for it did not belong to the vein proper, but to some stringer. <lb/></s> |
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| | <s>Those kinds of stone which easily melt in fire, especially if they are translucent <lb/>(fluorspar?), must be counted among the medium indications, for if other <lb/>good indications are present they are good, but if no good indications are <lb/>present, they give no useful significance. </s> |
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| <s>In the same way we ought to form <lb/>our judgment with regard to gems. </s> | <s>In the same way we ought to form <lb/>our judgment with regard to gems. </s> |
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| |
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| <s>In the same way schist, when it is of a <lb/>bluish or blackish colour, and also limestone, of whatever colour it may be, is <lb/>a good sign for a silver vein. </s> | <s>In the same way schist, when it is of a <lb/>bluish or blackish colour, and also limestone, of whatever colour it may be, is <lb/>a good sign for a silver vein. </s> |
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| <s>There is a rock of another kind that is a good sign; <lb/>in it are scattered tiny black stones from which tin is smelted; especially when <lb/>the whole space between the veins is composed of this kind of rock. <lb/>Very often indeed, this good kind of rock in conjunction with valuable <lb/>stringers contains within its folds the <emph type="italics"/>canales<emph.end type="italics"/> of mineral bearing veins: if <lb/>it descends vertically into the earth, the benefit belongs to that mine in <lb/>which it is seen first of all; if inclined, it benefits the other neighbouring <lb/>mines<emph type="sup"/>12<emph.end type="sup"/>. </s> | <s>There is a rock of another kind that is a good sign; <lb/>in it are scattered tiny black stones from which tin is smelted; especially when <lb/>the whole space between the veins is composed of this kind of rock. <lb/></s> |
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| | <s>Very often indeed, this good kind of rock in conjunction with valuable <lb/>stringers contains within its folds the <emph type="italics"/>canales<emph.end type="italics"/> of mineral bearing veins: if <lb/>it descends vertically into the earth, the benefit belongs to that mine in <lb/>which it is seen first of all; if inclined, it benefits the other neighbouring <lb/>mines<emph type="sup"/>12<emph.end type="sup"/>. </s> |
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| <s>As a result the miner who is not ignorant of geometry can calculate <lb/>from the other mines the depth at which the <emph type="italics"/>canales<emph.end type="italics"/> of a vein bearing rich <lb/>metal will wind its way through the rock into his mine. </s> | <s>As a result the miner who is not ignorant of geometry can calculate <lb/>from the other mines the depth at which the <emph type="italics"/>canales<emph.end type="italics"/> of a vein bearing rich <lb/>metal will wind its way through the rock into his mine. </s> |
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| <s>I call <lb/>that ore hardest, which is composed throughout the whole vein of these hard <lb/>stones and compounds. </s> | <s>I call <lb/>that ore hardest, which is composed throughout the whole vein of these hard <lb/>stones and compounds. </s> |
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| <s>The hanging or footwalls of a vein are hard, when <lb/>composed of rock in which there are few stringers or seams; harder, in <lb/>which they are fewer; hardest, in which they are fewest or none at all. <lb/>When these are absent, the rock is quite devoid of water which softens <lb/>it. </s> | <s>The hanging or footwalls of a vein are hard, when <lb/>composed of rock in which there are few stringers or seams; harder, in <lb/>which they are fewer; hardest, in which they are fewest or none at all. <lb/></s> |
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| | <s>When these are absent, the rock is quite devoid of water which softens <lb/>it. </s> |
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| <s>But the hardest rock of the hanging or footwall, however, is seldom as <lb/>hard as the harder class of ore.</s></p><p type="main"> | <s>But the hardest rock of the hanging or footwall, however, is seldom as <lb/>hard as the harder class of ore.</s></p><p type="main"> |
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| <s>Miners dig out crumbling ore with the pick alone. </s> | <s>Miners dig out crumbling ore with the pick alone. </s> |
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| <s>When the metal <lb/>has not yet shown itself, they do not discriminate between the hangingwall <lb/>and the veins; when it has once been found, they work with the utmost care. <lb/>For first of all they tear away the hangingwall rock separately from the vein, <lb/>afterward with a pick they dislodge the crumbling vein from the footwall <pb pagenum="118"/>into a dish placed underneath to prevent any of the metal from falling to <lb/>the ground. </s> | <s>When the metal <lb/>has not yet shown itself, they do not discriminate between the hangingwall <lb/>and the veins; when it has once been found, they work with the utmost care. <lb/></s> |
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| | <s>For first of all they tear away the hangingwall rock separately from the vein, <lb/>afterward with a pick they dislodge the crumbling vein from the footwall <pb pagenum="118"/>into a dish placed underneath to prevent any of the metal from falling to <lb/>the ground. </s> |
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| <s>They break a hard vein loose from the footwall by blows with <lb/>a hammer upon the first kind of iron tool<emph type="sup"/>13<emph.end type="sup"/>, all of which are designated by <lb/>appropriate names, and with the same tools they hew away the hard hanging­<lb/>wall rock. </s> | <s>They break a hard vein loose from the footwall by blows with <lb/>a hammer upon the first kind of iron tool<emph type="sup"/>13<emph.end type="sup"/>, all of which are designated by <lb/>appropriate names, and with the same tools they hew away the hard hanging­<lb/>wall rock. </s> |
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| |
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| <s>For if a vein held in the rocks cannot be hewn <lb/><pb pagenum="119"/>out because of the hardness or other difficulty, and the drift or tunnel is <lb/>low, a heap of dried logs is placed against the rock and fired; if the drift or <lb/>tunnel is high, two heaps are necessary, of which one is placed above the <lb/>other, and both burn until the fire has consumed them. </s> | <s>For if a vein held in the rocks cannot be hewn <lb/><pb pagenum="119"/>out because of the hardness or other difficulty, and the drift or tunnel is <lb/>low, a heap of dried logs is placed against the rock and fired; if the drift or <lb/>tunnel is high, two heaps are necessary, of which one is placed above the <lb/>other, and both burn until the fire has consumed them. </s> |
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| <s>This force does not <lb/>generally soften a large portion of the vein, but only some of the surface. <lb/>When the rock in the hanging or footwall can be worked by the iron tools <lb/>and the vein is so hard that it is not tractable to the same tools, then the <lb/>walls are hollowed out; if this be in the end of the drift or tunnel or above <lb/>or below, the vein is then broken by fire, but not by the same method; for <lb/>if the hollow is wide, as many logs are piled into it as possible, but if narrow, <lb/>only a few. </s> | <s>This force does not <lb/>generally soften a large portion of the vein, but only some of the surface. <lb/></s> |
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| | <s>When the rock in the hanging or footwall can be worked by the iron tools <lb/>and the vein is so hard that it is not tractable to the same tools, then the <lb/>walls are hollowed out; if this be in the end of the drift or tunnel or above <lb/>or below, the vein is then broken by fire, but not by the same method; for <lb/>if the hollow is wide, as many logs are piled into it as possible, but if narrow, <lb/>only a few. </s> |
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| <s>By the one method the greater fire separates the vein more <lb/>completely from the footwall or sometimes from the hangingwall, and by the <lb/>other, the smaller fire breaks away less of the vein from the rock, because in <lb/>that case the fire is confined and kept in check by portions of the rock which <lb/>surround the wood held in such a narrow excavation. </s> | <s>By the one method the greater fire separates the vein more <lb/>completely from the footwall or sometimes from the hangingwall, and by the <lb/>other, the smaller fire breaks away less of the vein from the rock, because in <lb/>that case the fire is confined and kept in check by portions of the rock which <lb/>surround the wood held in such a narrow excavation. </s> |
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| |
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| <s>Thus broken off, the rock <lb/>tumbles down; or if it still remains, they break it off with picks. </s> | <s>Thus broken off, the rock <lb/>tumbles down; or if it still remains, they break it off with picks. </s> |
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| <s>Rock <lb/>and earth on the one hand, and metal and ore on the other, are filled into <lb/>buckets separately and drawn up to the open air or to the nearest tunnel. <lb/>If the shaft is not deep, the buckets are drawn up by a machine turned by <lb/>men; if it is deep, they are drawn by machines turned by horses.</s></p><p type="main"> | <s>Rock <lb/>and earth on the one hand, and metal and ore on the other, are filled into <lb/>buckets separately and drawn up to the open air or to the nearest tunnel. <lb/></s> |
| | |
| | <s>If the shaft is not deep, the buckets are drawn up by a machine turned by <lb/>men; if it is deep, they are drawn by machines turned by horses.</s></p><p type="main"> |
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| <s>It often happens that a rush of water or sometimes stagnant air hinders <lb/>the mining; for this reason miners pay the greatest attention to these <lb/>matters, just as much as to digging, or they should do so. </s> | <s>It often happens that a rush of water or sometimes stagnant air hinders <lb/>the mining; for this reason miners pay the greatest attention to these <lb/>matters, just as much as to digging, or they should do so. </s> |
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| |
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| <s>Air is driven into the extremities of deep shafts and long tunnels by <lb/>powerful blowing machines, as I will explain in the following book, which <lb/>will deal with these machines also. </s> | <s>Air is driven into the extremities of deep shafts and long tunnels by <lb/>powerful blowing machines, as I will explain in the following book, which <lb/>will deal with these machines also. </s> |
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| <s>The outer air flows spontaneously into <lb/>the caverns of the earth, and when it can pass through them comes out again. <lb/>This, however, comes about in different ways, for in spring and summer it <lb/>flows into the deeper shafts, traverses the tunnels or drifts, and finds its way <pb pagenum="122"/>out of the shallower shafts; similarly at the same season it pours into the <lb/>lowest tunnel and, meeting a shaft in its course, turns aside to a higher tunnel <lb/>and passes out therefrom; but in autumn and winter, on the other hand, it <lb/>enters the upper tunnel or shaft and comes out at the deeper ones. </s> | <s>The outer air flows spontaneously into <lb/>the caverns of the earth, and when it can pass through them comes out again. <lb/></s> |
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| | <s>This, however, comes about in different ways, for in spring and summer it <lb/>flows into the deeper shafts, traverses the tunnels or drifts, and finds its way <pb pagenum="122"/>out of the shallower shafts; similarly at the same season it pours into the <lb/>lowest tunnel and, meeting a shaft in its course, turns aside to a higher tunnel <lb/>and passes out therefrom; but in autumn and winter, on the other hand, it <lb/>enters the upper tunnel or shaft and comes out at the deeper ones. </s> |
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| <s>This <lb/>change in the flow of air currents occurs in temperate regions at the beginning <lb/>of spring and the end of autumn, but in cold regions at the end of spring <lb/>and the beginning of autumn. </s> | <s>This <lb/>change in the flow of air currents occurs in temperate regions at the beginning <lb/>of spring and the end of autumn, but in cold regions at the end of spring <lb/>and the beginning of autumn. </s> |
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| <s>To prevent them from falling out of position and to <lb/>make them firm and substantial, they are supported by frequent end plates, <lb/>and in order that these may be more securely fixed they are mortised into <lb/>the posts. </s> | <s>To prevent them from falling out of position and to <lb/>make them firm and substantial, they are supported by frequent end plates, <lb/>and in order that these may be more securely fixed they are mortised into <lb/>the posts. </s> |
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| <s>Further, in whatever way the shaft may be timbered, dividers <lb/>are placed upon the wall plates, and to these is fixed lagging, and this <lb/>marks off and separates the ladder-way from the remaining part of the shaft. <lb/>If a vertical shaft is a very deep one, planks are laid upon the timbers by the <lb/>side of the ladders and fixed on to the timbers, in order that the men who are <lb/>going up or down may sit or stand upon them and rest when they are tired. <lb/>To prevent danger to the shovellers from rocks which, after being drawn up <lb/>from so deep a shaft fall down again, a little above the bottom of the shaft <lb/>small rough sticks are placed close together on the timbers, in such a way as <lb/>to cover the whole space of the shaft except the ladder-way. </s> | <s>Further, in whatever way the shaft may be timbered, dividers <lb/>are placed upon the wall plates, and to these is fixed lagging, and this <lb/>marks off and separates the ladder-way from the remaining part of the shaft. <lb/></s> |
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| | <s>If a vertical shaft is a very deep one, planks are laid upon the timbers by the <lb/>side of the ladders and fixed on to the timbers, in order that the men who are <lb/>going up or down may sit or stand upon them and rest when they are tired. <lb/></s> |
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| | <s>To prevent danger to the shovellers from rocks which, after being drawn up <lb/>from so deep a shaft fall down again, a little above the bottom of the shaft <lb/>small rough sticks are placed close together on the timbers, in such a way as <lb/>to cover the whole space of the shaft except the ladder-way. </s> |
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| <s>A hole, <lb/>however, is left in this structure near the footwall, which is kept open so that <lb/>there may be one opening to the shaft from the bottom, that the buckets <lb/>full of the materials which have been dug out may be drawn from the <lb/>shaft through it by machines, and may be returned to the same place again <lb/>empty; and so the shovellers and other workmen, as it were hiding beneath <lb/>this structure, remain perfectly safe in the shaft.</s></p><p type="main"> | <s>A hole, <lb/>however, is left in this structure near the footwall, which is kept open so that <lb/>there may be one opening to the shaft from the bottom, that the buckets <lb/>full of the materials which have been dug out may be drawn from the <lb/>shaft through it by machines, and may be returned to the same place again <lb/>empty; and so the shovellers and other workmen, as it were hiding beneath <lb/>this structure, remain perfectly safe in the shaft.</s></p><p type="main"> |
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| <s>These do not, however, <lb/>require sill-pieces, or drains; for the broken rock is not hauled very far, nor does <lb/>the water have far to flow. </s> | <s>These do not, however, <lb/>require sill-pieces, or drains; for the broken rock is not hauled very far, nor does <lb/>the water have far to flow. </s> |
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| <s>If the vein above is metal-bearing, as it sometimes is <pb pagenum="126"/>for a distance of several fathoms, then from the upper part of tunnels or even <lb/>drifts that have already been driven, other drifts are driven again <lb/>and again until that part of the vein is reached which does not yield metal. <lb/>The timbering of these openings is done as follows: stulls are set at <lb/>intervals into hitches in the hanging and footwall, and upon them <lb/>smooth poles are laid continuously; and that they may be able to <lb/>bear the weight, the stulls are generally a foot and a half thick. </s> | <s>If the vein above is metal-bearing, as it sometimes is <pb pagenum="126"/>for a distance of several fathoms, then from the upper part of tunnels or even <lb/>drifts that have already been driven, other drifts are driven again <lb/>and again until that part of the vein is reached which does not yield metal. <lb/></s> |
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| | <s>The timbering of these openings is done as follows: stulls are set at <lb/>intervals into hitches in the hanging and footwall, and upon them <lb/>smooth poles are laid continuously; and that they may be able to <lb/>bear the weight, the stulls are generally a foot and a half thick. </s> |
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| <s>After the <lb/>ore has been taken out and the mining of the vein is being done elsewhere, <lb/>the rock then broken, especially if it cannot be taken away without great <lb/>difficulty, is thrown into these openings among the timber, and the carriers <lb/>of the ore are saved toil, and the owners save half the expense. </s> | <s>After the <lb/>ore has been taken out and the mining of the vein is being done elsewhere, <lb/>the rock then broken, especially if it cannot be taken away without great <lb/>difficulty, is thrown into these openings among the timber, and the carriers <lb/>of the ore are saved toil, and the owners save half the expense. </s> |
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| <s>Therefore, <lb/>about a <emph type="italics"/>vena cumulata<emph.end type="italics"/> it is advisable to sink some shafts which are not sub­<lb/>ject to this kind of ruin, through which the materials that are excavated may <lb/>be carried out, not only while the pillars and underpinnings still remain whole <lb/>and solid, but also after the supports have been destroyed by fire and have <lb/>fallen. </s> | <s>Therefore, <lb/>about a <emph type="italics"/>vena cumulata<emph.end type="italics"/> it is advisable to sink some shafts which are not sub­<lb/>ject to this kind of ruin, through which the materials that are excavated may <lb/>be carried out, not only while the pillars and underpinnings still remain whole <lb/>and solid, but also after the supports have been destroyed by fire and have <lb/>fallen. </s> |
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| <s>Since ore which has thus fallen must necessarily be broken by fire, <lb/>new shafts through which the smoke can escape must be sunk in the abyss. <lb/>At those places where stringers intersect, richer ore is generally obtained <lb/>from the mine; these stringers, in the case of tin mines, sometimes have in <lb/>them black stones the size of a walnut. </s> | <s>Since ore which has thus fallen must necessarily be broken by fire, <lb/>new shafts through which the smoke can escape must be sunk in the abyss. <lb/></s> |
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| | <s>At those places where stringers intersect, richer ore is generally obtained <lb/>from the mine; these stringers, in the case of tin mines, sometimes have in <lb/>them black stones the size of a walnut. </s> |
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| <s>If such a vein is found in a plain, <lb/>as not infrequently happens in the case of iron, many shafts are sunk, because <lb/>they cannot be sunk very deep. </s> | <s>If such a vein is found in a plain, <lb/>as not infrequently happens in the case of iron, many shafts are sunk, because <lb/>they cannot be sunk very deep. </s> |
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| <s>A <lb/>small triangle should be laid out, and from it calculations must be made <lb/>regarding a larger one. </s> | <s>A <lb/>small triangle should be laid out, and from it calculations must be made <lb/>regarding a larger one. </s> |
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| <s>Most particular care must be taken that we do not <lb/>deviate at all from a correct measuring; for if, at the beginning, we are drawn <pb pagenum="130"/>by carelessness into a slight error, this at the end will produce great errors. <lb/>Now these triangles are of many shapes, since shafts differ among themselves <lb/>and are not all sunk by one and the same method into the depths of the <lb/>earth, nor do the slopes of all mountains come down to the valley or plain in <lb/>the same manner. </s> | <s>Most particular care must be taken that we do not <lb/>deviate at all from a correct measuring; for if, at the beginning, we are drawn <pb pagenum="130"/>by carelessness into a slight error, this at the end will produce great errors. <lb/></s> |
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| | <s>Now these triangles are of many shapes, since shafts differ among themselves <lb/>and are not all sunk by one and the same method into the depths of the <lb/>earth, nor do the slopes of all mountains come down to the valley or plain in <lb/>the same manner. </s> |
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| <s>For if a shaft is vertical, there is a triangle with a right <lb/>angle, which the Greeks call <foreign lang="greek">o)rqogw/nion</foreign> and this, according to the <lb/>inequalities of the mountain slope, has either two equal sides or three unequal <lb/>sides. </s> | <s>For if a shaft is vertical, there is a triangle with a right <lb/>angle, which the Greeks call <foreign lang="greek">o)rqogw/nion</foreign> and this, according to the <lb/>inequalities of the mountain slope, has either two equal sides or three unequal <lb/>sides. </s> |
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| <s>Then, starting from that point where the <lb/>third cord cuts the second cord which descends obliquely to the mouth of the <lb/>tunnel, he measures the second cord upward to where it reaches the end of </s></p><pb pagenum="131"/><figure></figure><p type="caption"> | <s>Then, starting from that point where the <lb/>third cord cuts the second cord which descends obliquely to the mouth of the <lb/>tunnel, he measures the second cord upward to where it reaches the end of </s></p><pb pagenum="131"/><figure></figure><p type="caption"> |
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| <s>A—UPRIGHT FORKED POSTS. B—POLE OVER THE POSTS. C—SHAFT. D—FIRST CORD. <lb/>E—WEIGHT OF FIRST CORD. F—SECOND CORD. G—SAME FIXED GROUND. H—HEAD <lb/>OF FIRST CORD. I—MOUTH OF TUNNEL. K—THIRD CORD. L—WEIGHT OF THIRD CORD. <lb/>M—FIRST SIDE MINOR TRIANGLE. N—SECOND SIDE MINOR TRIANGLE. O—THIRD SIDE <lb/>MINOR TRIANGLE. P—THE MINOR TRIANGLE.<pb pagenum="132"/>the first cord, and makes a note of this first side of the minor triangle<emph type="sup"/>17<emph.end type="sup"/>. <lb/>Afterward, starting again from that point where the third cord intersects the <lb/>second cord, he measures the straight space which lies between that point <lb/>and the opposite point on the first cord, and in that way forms the minor <lb/>triangle, and he notes this second side of the minor triangle in the same way as <lb/>before. </s> | <s>A—UPRIGHT FORKED POSTS. B—POLE OVER THE POSTS. C—SHAFT. D—FIRST CORD. <lb/>E—WEIGHT OF FIRST CORD. F—SECOND CORD. G—SAME FIXED GROUND. H—HEAD <lb/>OF FIRST CORD. I—MOUTH OF TUNNEL. K—THIRD CORD. L—WEIGHT OF THIRD CORD. <lb/>M—FIRST SIDE MINOR TRIANGLE. N—SECOND SIDE MINOR TRIANGLE. O—THIRD SIDE <lb/>MINOR TRIANGLE. P—THE MINOR TRIANGLE.<pb pagenum="132"/>the first cord, and makes a note of this first side of the minor triangle<emph type="sup"/>17<emph.end type="sup"/>. <lb/></s> |
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| | <s>Afterward, starting again from that point where the third cord intersects the <lb/>second cord, he measures the straight space which lies between that point <lb/>and the opposite point on the first cord, and in that way forms the minor <lb/>triangle, and he notes this second side of the minor triangle in the same way as <lb/>before. </s> |
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| <s>Then, if it is necessary, from the angle formed by the first cord and <lb/>the second side of the minor triangle, he measures upward to the end of the <lb/>first cord and also makes a note of this third side of the minor triangle. </s> | <s>Then, if it is necessary, from the angle formed by the first cord and <lb/>the second side of the minor triangle, he measures upward to the end of the <lb/>first cord and also makes a note of this third side of the minor triangle. </s> |
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| <s>In the same way <lb/>if a tunnel is one hundred or fifty fathoms shorter or longer, the same propor­<lb/>tion also must be taken from the depth of the one and added to the length <lb/>of the other. </s> | <s>In the same way <lb/>if a tunnel is one hundred or fifty fathoms shorter or longer, the same propor­<lb/>tion also must be taken from the depth of the one and added to the length <lb/>of the other. </s> |
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| <s>For this reason, in the case mentioned above, half a fathom <lb/>and a little more must be added to the distance to be driven through, so <lb/>that there remain twenty-three fathoms, five feet, two palms, one and a half <lb/>digits and a fifth of a digit; that is, if even the minutest proportions are <lb/>carried out; and surveyors do not neglect these without good cause. <lb/>Similarly, if the shaft is seventy fathoms deep, in order that it may reach to <lb/>the bottom of the tunnel, it still must be sunk a further depth of thirteen <lb/>fathoms and two feet, or rather twelve fathoms and a half, one foot, two <lb/>digits, and four-fifths of half a digit. </s> | <s>For this reason, in the case mentioned above, half a fathom <lb/>and a little more must be added to the distance to be driven through, so <lb/>that there remain twenty-three fathoms, five feet, two palms, one and a half <lb/>digits and a fifth of a digit; that is, if even the minutest proportions are <lb/>carried out; and surveyors do not neglect these without good cause. <lb/></s> |
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| | <s>Similarly, if the shaft is seventy fathoms deep, in order that it may reach to <lb/>the bottom of the tunnel, it still must be sunk a further depth of thirteen <lb/>fathoms and two feet, or rather twelve fathoms and a half, one foot, two <lb/>digits, and four-fifths of half a digit. </s> |
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| <s>And in this instance five feet must be <lb/>deducted from the reckoning, because these five feet complete the third side <lb/>of the minor triangle, which is above the mouth of the shaft, and from its <pb pagenum="134"/>depth there must be deducted half a fathom, two palms, one and a half digits <lb/>and the fifth part of half a digit. </s> | <s>And in this instance five feet must be <lb/>deducted from the reckoning, because these five feet complete the third side <lb/>of the minor triangle, which is above the mouth of the shaft, and from its <pb pagenum="134"/>depth there must be deducted half a fathom, two palms, one and a half digits <lb/>and the fifth part of half a digit. </s> |
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| <s>If a minor triangle is produced of the kind having three unequal sides, <lb/>then the sides of the greater triangle cannot be equal; that is, if the first <lb/>side of the minor triangle is eight feet long, the second six feet long, and the <lb/>third five feet long, and the cord along the side of the greater triangle, not <lb/>to go too far from the example just given, is one hundred and one times <lb/>eight feet, that is, one hundred and thirty-four fathoms and four feet, the <lb/>distance which lies between the mouth of the tunnel and the bottom of the <lb/>shaft will occupy one hundred times six feet in length, that is, one hundred <lb/>fathoms. </s> | <s>If a minor triangle is produced of the kind having three unequal sides, <lb/>then the sides of the greater triangle cannot be equal; that is, if the first <lb/>side of the minor triangle is eight feet long, the second six feet long, and the <lb/>third five feet long, and the cord along the side of the greater triangle, not <lb/>to go too far from the example just given, is one hundred and one times <lb/>eight feet, that is, one hundred and thirty-four fathoms and four feet, the <lb/>distance which lies between the mouth of the tunnel and the bottom of the <lb/>shaft will occupy one hundred times six feet in length, that is, one hundred <lb/>fathoms. </s> |
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| <s>The distance between the mouth of the shaft and the bottom of the <lb/>tunnel is one hundred times five feet, that is, eighty-three fathoms and two feet. <lb/>And so, if the tunnel is eighty-five fathoms long, the remainder to be driven <lb/>into the mountain is fifteen fathoms long, and here, too, a correction in <lb/>measurement must be taken from the depth of the shaft and added to the <lb/>length of the tunnel; what this is precisely, I will pursue no further, since <lb/>everyone having a small knowledge of arithmetic can work it out. </s> | <s>The distance between the mouth of the shaft and the bottom of the <lb/>tunnel is one hundred times five feet, that is, eighty-three fathoms and two feet. <lb/></s> |
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| | <s>And so, if the tunnel is eighty-five fathoms long, the remainder to be driven <lb/>into the mountain is fifteen fathoms long, and here, too, a correction in <lb/>measurement must be taken from the depth of the shaft and added to the <lb/>length of the tunnel; what this is precisely, I will pursue no further, since <lb/>everyone having a small knowledge of arithmetic can work it out. </s> |
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| <s>If the <lb/>shaft is sixty-seven fathoms deep, in order that it may reach the bottom of <lb/>the tunnel, the further distance required to be sunk amounts to sixteen <lb/>fathoms and two feet.</s></p><figure></figure><p type="caption"> | <s>If the <lb/>shaft is sixty-seven fathoms deep, in order that it may reach the bottom of <lb/>the tunnel, the further distance required to be sunk amounts to sixteen <lb/>fathoms and two feet.</s></p><figure></figure><p type="caption"> |
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| |
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| <s>If a minor triangle is made which has an obtuse angle and three unequal <lb/>sides, then again the sides of the large triangle cannot be equal. </s> | <s>If a minor triangle is made which has an obtuse angle and three unequal <lb/>sides, then again the sides of the large triangle cannot be equal. </s> |
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| <s>For <lb/>example, if the first side of the minor triangle is six feet long, the second <lb/>three feet, and the third four feet, and the cord along the side of the greater <lb/>triangle one hundred and one times six feet, that is, one hundred and one <lb/>fathoms, the distance between the mouth of the tunnel and the bottom of <lb/>the last shaft will be a length one hundred times three feet, or fifty fathoms; <lb/>but the depth that lies between the mouth of the first shaft and the bottom of <lb/>the tunnel is one hundred times four feet, or sixty-six fathoms and four feet. <lb/>Therefore, if a tunnel is forty-four fathoms long, the remaining distance to <lb/>be driven is six fathoms. </s> | <s>For <lb/>example, if the first side of the minor triangle is six feet long, the second <lb/>three feet, and the third four feet, and the cord along the side of the greater <lb/>triangle one hundred and one times six feet, that is, one hundred and one <lb/>fathoms, the distance between the mouth of the tunnel and the bottom of <lb/>the last shaft will be a length one hundred times three feet, or fifty fathoms; <lb/>but the depth that lies between the mouth of the first shaft and the bottom of <lb/>the tunnel is one hundred times four feet, or sixty-six fathoms and four feet. <lb/></s> |
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| | <s>Therefore, if a tunnel is forty-four fathoms long, the remaining distance to <lb/>be driven is six fathoms. </s> |
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| <s>If the shafts are fifty-eight fathoms deep, the <lb/>newest will touch the bottom of the tunnel when eight fathoms and four <lb/>feet have been sunk.</s></p><figure></figure><p type="caption"> | <s>If the shafts are fifty-eight fathoms deep, the <lb/>newest will touch the bottom of the tunnel when eight fathoms and four <lb/>feet have been sunk.</s></p><figure></figure><p type="caption"> |
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| |
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| <s>For example, if <lb/>the first side of the minor triangle is six feet long, and the second is four feet, <lb/>and the third is six feet, and the cord measurement for the side of the major <lb/>triangle is one hundred and one times six feet, that is, one hundred and one <lb/>fathoms, then the distance between the mouth of the tunnel and the bottom of <lb/>the last shaft will be sixty-six fathoms and four feet. </s> | <s>For example, if <lb/>the first side of the minor triangle is six feet long, and the second is four feet, <lb/>and the third is six feet, and the cord measurement for the side of the major <lb/>triangle is one hundred and one times six feet, that is, one hundred and one <lb/>fathoms, then the distance between the mouth of the tunnel and the bottom of <lb/>the last shaft will be sixty-six fathoms and four feet. </s> |
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| <s>But the distance from the <lb/>mouth of the first shaft to the bottom of the tunnel is one hundred fathoms. <lb/>So if the tunnel is sixty fathoms long, the remaining distance to be driven <lb/>into the mountain is six fathoms and four feet. </s> | <s>But the distance from the <lb/>mouth of the first shaft to the bottom of the tunnel is one hundred fathoms. <lb/></s> |
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| | <s>So if the tunnel is sixty fathoms long, the remaining distance to be driven <lb/>into the mountain is six fathoms and four feet. </s> |
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| <s>If the shaft is ninety-seven <lb/>fathoms deep, the last one will reach the bottom of the tunnel when a further <lb/>depth of three fathoms has been sunk.</s></p><figure></figure><p type="caption"> | <s>If the shaft is ninety-seven <lb/>fathoms deep, the last one will reach the bottom of the tunnel when a further <lb/>depth of three fathoms has been sunk.</s></p><figure></figure><p type="caption"> |
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| <s>TRIANGLE HAVING ALL ITS ANGLES ACUTE AND TWO SIDES EQUAL, A, B, UNEQUAL SIDE C.</s></p><p type="main"> | <s>TRIANGLE HAVING ALL ITS ANGLES ACUTE AND TWO SIDES EQUAL, A, B, UNEQUAL SIDE C.</s></p><p type="main"> |
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| <s>If a minor triangle is produced which has all its angles acute, but its <lb/>three sides unequal, then again the distances to be dug cannot be equal. <lb/>For example, if the first side of the minor triangle is seven feet long, the <lb/>second side is four feet, and the third side is six feet, and the cord measure­<lb/>ment for the side of the major triangle is one hundred and one times seven <lb/>feet or one hundred and seventeen fathoms and four feet, the distance <lb/>between the mouth of the tunnel and the bottom of the last shaft will be <lb/>four hundred feet or sixty-six fathoms, and the depth between the mouth of <lb/>the first shaft and the bottom of the tunnel will be one hundred fathoms. <lb/>Therefore, if a tunnel is fifty fathoms long, it will reach the middle of the <lb/>bottom of the newest shaft when it has been driven sixteen fathoms and four <lb/>feet further. </s> | <s>If a minor triangle is produced which has all its angles acute, but its <lb/>three sides unequal, then again the distances to be dug cannot be equal. <lb/></s> |
| | |
| | <s>For example, if the first side of the minor triangle is seven feet long, the <lb/>second side is four feet, and the third side is six feet, and the cord measure­<lb/>ment for the side of the major triangle is one hundred and one times seven <lb/>feet or one hundred and seventeen fathoms and four feet, the distance <lb/>between the mouth of the tunnel and the bottom of the last shaft will be <lb/>four hundred feet or sixty-six fathoms, and the depth between the mouth of <lb/>the first shaft and the bottom of the tunnel will be one hundred fathoms. <lb/></s> |
| | |
| | <s>Therefore, if a tunnel is fifty fathoms long, it will reach the middle of the <lb/>bottom of the newest shaft when it has been driven sixteen fathoms and four <lb/>feet further. </s> |
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| <s>But if the shafts are then ninety-two fathoms deep, the last <pb pagenum="137"/>shaft will reach the bottom of the tunnel when it has been sunk a further <lb/>eight fathoms.</s></p><figure></figure><p type="caption"> | <s>But if the shafts are then ninety-two fathoms deep, the last <pb pagenum="137"/>shaft will reach the bottom of the tunnel when it has been sunk a further <lb/>eight fathoms.</s></p><figure></figure><p type="caption"> |
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| |
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| <s>From the <pb pagenum="138"/>waxed margin through the first semi-circular line, and reaching to the second, <lb/>there proceed straight lines converging toward the centre of the hemicycle; <lb/>these mark the middles of intervening spaces lying between other straight lines <lb/>which extend to the fourth semi-circular line. </s> | <s>From the <pb pagenum="138"/>waxed margin through the first semi-circular line, and reaching to the second, <lb/>there proceed straight lines converging toward the centre of the hemicycle; <lb/>these mark the middles of intervening spaces lying between other straight lines <lb/>which extend to the fourth semi-circular line. </s> |
| | |
| <s>But all lines whatsoever, from <lb/>the waxed margin up to the fourth line, whether they go beyond it or not, <lb/>correspond with the graduated lines which mark the minor spaces of a rod. <lb/>Those which go beyond the fourth line correspond with the lines marking </s></p><figure></figure><p type="caption"> | <s>But all lines whatsoever, from <lb/>the waxed margin up to the fourth line, whether they go beyond it or not, <lb/>correspond with the graduated lines which mark the minor spaces of a rod. <lb/></s> |
| | |
| | <s>Those which go beyond the fourth line correspond with the lines marking </s></p><figure></figure><p type="caption"> |
| | |
| <s>A—WAXED SEMICIRCLE OF THE HEMICYCLE. B—SEMICIRCULAR LINES. C—STRAIGHT <lb/>LINES. D—LINE MEASURING THE HALF. E—LINE MEASURING THE WHOLE. F—TONGUE.<pb pagenum="139"/>the major spaces on the rod, and those which proceed further, mark the <lb/>middle of the intervening space which lies between the others. </s> | <s>A—WAXED SEMICIRCLE OF THE HEMICYCLE. B—SEMICIRCULAR LINES. C—STRAIGHT <lb/>LINES. D—LINE MEASURING THE HALF. E—LINE MEASURING THE WHOLE. F—TONGUE.<pb pagenum="139"/>the major spaces on the rod, and those which proceed further, mark the <lb/>middle of the intervening space which lies between the others. </s> |
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| |
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| <s>Next, from the cord which hangs from the lower tripod, <lb/>a third cord likewise fixed is brought straight up the sloping side of the <lb/>mountain to the stake of the upper tripod, and fastened to it. </s> | <s>Next, from the cord which hangs from the lower tripod, <lb/>a third cord likewise fixed is brought straight up the sloping side of the <lb/>mountain to the stake of the upper tripod, and fastened to it. </s> |
| | |
| <s>In order that <lb/>the measuring of the depth of the shaft may be more certain, the third cord <lb/>should touch one and the same side of the cord hanging from the lower tripod <lb/>which is touched by the second cord—the one which is drawn into the tunnel. <lb/>All this having been correctly carried out, the surveyor, when at length <lb/>the cord which has been drawn straight into the tunnel is about to be bent <lb/>by the hangingwall or footwall, places a plank in the bottom of the tunnel <lb/>and on it sets the orbis, an instrument which has an indicator peculiar <lb/>to itself. </s> | <s>In order that <lb/>the measuring of the depth of the shaft may be more certain, the third cord <lb/>should touch one and the same side of the cord hanging from the lower tripod <lb/>which is touched by the second cord—the one which is drawn into the tunnel. <lb/></s> |
| | |
| | <s>All this having been correctly carried out, the surveyor, when at length <lb/>the cord which has been drawn straight into the tunnel is about to be bent <lb/>by the hangingwall or footwall, places a plank in the bottom of the tunnel <lb/>and on it sets the orbis, an instrument which has an indicator peculiar <lb/>to itself. </s> |
| | |
| <s>This instrument, although it also has waxed circles, differs from the <lb/>other, which I have described in the third book. </s> | <s>This instrument, although it also has waxed circles, differs from the <lb/>other, which I have described in the third book. </s> |
| | |
| <s>But by both these <lb/>instruments, as well as by a rule and a square, he determines whether the <lb/>stretched cords reach straight to the extreme end of the tunnel, or whether <lb/>they sometimes reach straight, and are sometimes bent by the footwall or <lb/>hangingwall. </s> | <s>But by both these <lb/>instruments, as well as by a rule and a square, he determines whether the <lb/>stretched cords reach straight to the extreme end of the tunnel, or whether <lb/>they sometimes reach straight, and are sometimes bent by the footwall or <lb/>hangingwall. </s> |
| | |
| <s>Each instrument is divided into parts, but the compass into <lb/>twenty-four parts, the orbis into sixteen parts; for first of all it is divided <lb/>into four principal parts, and then each of these is again divided into four. <lb/>Both have waxed circles, but the compass has seven circles, and the orbis <lb/>only five circles. </s> | <s>Each instrument is divided into parts, but the compass into <lb/>twenty-four parts, the orbis into sixteen parts; for first of all it is divided <lb/>into four principal parts, and then each of these is again divided into four. <lb/></s> |
| | |
| | <s>Both have waxed circles, but the compass has seven circles, and the orbis <lb/>only five circles. </s> |
| | |
| <s>These waxed circles the surveyor marks, whichever instru­<lb/>ment he uses, and by the succession of these same marks he notes any <lb/>change in the direction in which the cord extends. </s> | <s>These waxed circles the surveyor marks, whichever instru­<lb/>ment he uses, and by the succession of these same marks he notes any <lb/>change in the direction in which the cord extends. </s> |
| | |
| |
| | |
| <s>Lastly, he <lb/>measures part of the tunnel; and when all this is properly done, he demon­<lb/>strates the depth of the shaft and the point in the tunnel to which the shaft <lb/>will reach. </s> | <s>Lastly, he <lb/>measures part of the tunnel; and when all this is properly done, he demon­<lb/>strates the depth of the shaft and the point in the tunnel to which the shaft <lb/>will reach. </s> |
| | |
| <s>But sometimes a very deep straight shaft requires to be sunk <lb/>at the same place where there is a previous inclined shaft, and to the same <lb/>depth, in order that loads may be raised and drawn straight up by machines. <lb/>Those machines on the surface are turned by horses; those inside the earth, <lb/>by the same means, and also by water-power. </s> | <s>But sometimes a very deep straight shaft requires to be sunk <lb/>at the same place where there is a previous inclined shaft, and to the same <lb/>depth, in order that loads may be raised and drawn straight up by machines. <lb/></s> |
| | |
| | <s>Those machines on the surface are turned by horses; those inside the earth, <lb/>by the same means, and also by water-power. </s> |
| | |
| <s>And so, if it becomes <lb/>necessary to sink such a shaft, the surveyor first of all fixes an iron screw <lb/>in the upper part of the old shaft, and from the screw he lets down a cord <lb/>as far as the first angle, where again he fixes a screw, and again lets down the <lb/>cord as far as the second angle; this he repeats again and again until the <lb/>cord reaches to the bottom of the shaft. </s> | <s>And so, if it becomes <lb/>necessary to sink such a shaft, the surveyor first of all fixes an iron screw <lb/>in the upper part of the old shaft, and from the screw he lets down a cord <lb/>as far as the first angle, where again he fixes a screw, and again lets down the <lb/>cord as far as the second angle; this he repeats again and again until the <lb/>cord reaches to the bottom of the shaft. </s> |
| | |
| |
| | |
| <s>The surveyor <lb/>either himself settles the dispute between the owners, or by his art gives <lb/>evidence to the judges for making their decision, that one shall not encroach <lb/>on the mine of the other. </s> | <s>The surveyor <lb/>either himself settles the dispute between the owners, or by his art gives <lb/>evidence to the judges for making their decision, that one shall not encroach <lb/>on the mine of the other. </s> |
| | |
| <s>Thus, first of all he measures the mines of each <lb/>party with a basket rope and cords of linden bark; and having applied to the <lb/>cords an orbis or a compass, he notes the directions in which they extend. <lb/>Then he stretches the cords on the surveyor's field; and starting from that <lb/>point whose owners are in possession of the old meer toward the other, <lb/>whether it is in the hanging or footwall of the vein, he stretches a cross­<lb/>cord in a straight line, according to the sixth division of the compass, <lb/>that is, at a right angle to the vein, for a distance of three and a <lb/>half fathoms, and assigns to the older owners that which belongs to <lb/>them. </s> | <s>Thus, first of all he measures the mines of each <lb/>party with a basket rope and cords of linden bark; and having applied to the <lb/>cords an orbis or a compass, he notes the directions in which they extend. <lb/></s> |
| | |
| | <s>Then he stretches the cords on the surveyor's field; and starting from that <lb/>point whose owners are in possession of the old meer toward the other, <lb/>whether it is in the hanging or footwall of the vein, he stretches a cross­<lb/>cord in a straight line, according to the sixth division of the compass, <lb/>that is, at a right angle to the vein, for a distance of three and a <lb/>half fathoms, and assigns to the older owners that which belongs to <lb/>them. </s> |
| | |
| <s>But if both ends of one vein are being dug out in two tunnels, or <lb/>drifts from opposite directions, the surveyor first of all considers the lower <lb/>tunnel or drift and afterward the upper one, and judges how much each of <lb/>them has risen little by little. </s> | <s>But if both ends of one vein are being dug out in two tunnels, or <lb/>drifts from opposite directions, the surveyor first of all considers the lower <lb/>tunnel or drift and afterward the upper one, and judges how much each of <lb/>them has risen little by little. </s> |
| | |
| <s>On each side strong men take in their hands <lb/>a stretched cord and hold it so that there is no point where it is not strained <lb/>tight; on each side the surveyor supports the cord with a rod half a fathom <lb/>long, and stays the rod at the end with a short stick as often as he thinks <lb/>it necessary. </s> | <s>On each side strong men take in their hands <lb/>a stretched cord and hold it so that there is no point where it is not strained <lb/>tight; on each side the surveyor supports the cord with a rod half a fathom <lb/>long, and stays the rod at the end with a short stick as often as he thinks <lb/>it necessary. </s> |
| | |
| <s>But some fasten cords to the rods to make them steadier. <lb/>The surveyor attaches a suspended plummet level to the middle of the cord to <lb/>enable him to calculate more accurately on both sides, and from this he ascer­<lb/>tains whether one tunnel has risen more than another, or in like manner one <lb/>drift more than another. </s> | <s>But some fasten cords to the rods to make them steadier. <lb/></s> |
| | |
| | <s>The surveyor attaches a suspended plummet level to the middle of the cord to <lb/>enable him to calculate more accurately on both sides, and from this he ascer­<lb/>tains whether one tunnel has risen more than another, or in like manner one <lb/>drift more than another. </s> |
| | |
| <s>Afterward he measures the incline of the shafts <lb/>on both sides, so that he can estimate their position on each side. </s> | <s>Afterward he measures the incline of the shafts <lb/>on both sides, so that he can estimate their position on each side. </s> |
| | |
| |
| | |
| <s>The second is of the same width as the <lb/>first, and the same thickness, but one and one half feet long, and is used to <lb/>shatter the hardest veins in such a way that they crack open. </s> | <s>The second is of the same width as the <lb/>first, and the same thickness, but one and one half feet long, and is used to <lb/>shatter the hardest veins in such a way that they crack open. </s> |
| | |
| <s>The third <lb/>is the same length as the second, but is a little wider and thicker; with <lb/>this one they dig the bottoms of those shafts which slowly accumulate water. <lb/>The fourth is nearly three palms and one digit long, two digits thick, and in <lb/>the upper end it is three digits wide, in the middle it is one palm wide, and <lb/>at the lower end it is pointed like the others; with this they cut out the <lb/>harder veins. </s> | <s>The third <lb/>is the same length as the second, but is a little wider and thicker; with <lb/>this one they dig the bottoms of those shafts which slowly accumulate water. <lb/></s> |
| | |
| | <s>The fourth is nearly three palms and one digit long, two digits thick, and in <lb/>the upper end it is three digits wide, in the middle it is one palm wide, and <lb/>at the lower end it is pointed like the others; with this they cut out the <lb/>harder veins. </s> |
| | |
| <s>The eye in the first tool is one palm distant from the upper <lb/>end, in the second and third it is seven digits distant; each swells out <lb/>around the eye on both sides, and into it they fit a wooden handle, which <lb/>they hold with one hand, while they strike the iron tool with a hammer, after <lb/>placing it against the rock. </s> | <s>The eye in the first tool is one palm distant from the upper <lb/>end, in the second and third it is seven digits distant; each swells out <lb/>around the eye on both sides, and into it they fit a wooden handle, which <lb/>they hold with one hand, while they strike the iron tool with a hammer, after <lb/>placing it against the rock. </s> |
| | |
| |
| | |
| <s>Buckets are of two kinds, which differ in size, but not in material or <lb/>shape. </s> | <s>Buckets are of two kinds, which differ in size, but not in material or <lb/>shape. </s> |
| | |
| <s>The smaller for the most part hold only about one <emph type="italics"/>metreta;<emph.end type="italics"/> the <lb/>larger are generally capable of carrying one-sixth of a <emph type="italics"/>congius;<emph.end type="italics"/> neither is <lb/>of unchangeable capacity, but they often vary.<emph type="sup"/>3<emph.end type="sup"/> Each is made of staves circled <lb/>with hoops, one of which binds the top and the other the bottom. <lb/>The hoops are sometimes made of hazel and oak, but these are easily <lb/>broken by dashing against the shaft, while those made of iron are more <lb/>durable. </s> | <s>The smaller for the most part hold only about one <emph type="italics"/>metreta;<emph.end type="italics"/> the <lb/>larger are generally capable of carrying one-sixth of a <emph type="italics"/>congius;<emph.end type="italics"/> neither is <lb/>of unchangeable capacity, but they often vary.<emph type="sup"/>3<emph.end type="sup"/> Each is made of staves circled <lb/>with hoops, one of which binds the top and the other the bottom. <lb/></s> |
| | |
| | <s>The hoops are sometimes made of hazel and oak, but these are easily <lb/>broken by dashing against the shaft, while those made of iron are more <lb/>durable. </s> |
| | |
| <s>In the larger buckets the staves are thicker and wider, as also are <lb/>both hoops, and in order that the buckets may be more firm and strong, <lb/>they have eight iron straps, somewhat broad, four of which run from the <lb/>upper hoop downwards, and four from the lower hoop upwards, as if to meet <lb/>each other. </s> | <s>In the larger buckets the staves are thicker and wider, as also are <lb/>both hoops, and in order that the buckets may be more firm and strong, <lb/>they have eight iron straps, somewhat broad, four of which run from the <lb/>upper hoop downwards, and four from the lower hoop upwards, as if to meet <lb/>each other. </s> |
| | |
| <s>The bottom of each bucket, both inside and outside, is furnished <lb/>with two or three straps of iron, which run from one side of the lower hoop <lb/>to the other, but the straps which are on the outside are fixed crosswise. <lb/>Each bucket has two iron hafts which project above the edge, and it has an <lb/>iron semi-circular bail whose lower ends are fixed directly into the hafts, <lb/>that the bucket may be handled more easily. </s> | <s>The bottom of each bucket, both inside and outside, is furnished <lb/>with two or three straps of iron, which run from one side of the lower hoop <lb/>to the other, but the straps which are on the outside are fixed crosswise. <lb/></s> |
| | |
| | <s>Each bucket has two iron hafts which project above the edge, and it has an <lb/>iron semi-circular bail whose lower ends are fixed directly into the hafts, <lb/>that the bucket may be handled more easily. </s> |
| | |
| <s>Each kind of bucket is much <lb/>deeper than it is wide, and each is wider at the top, in order that the material <lb/>which is dug out may be the more easily poured in and poured out again. <lb/>Into the smaller buckets strong boys, and into larger ones men, fill earth <lb/>from the bottom of the shaft with hoes; or the other material dug up is <lb/>shovelled into them or filled in with their hands, for which reason these men <lb/>are called “shovellers.<emph type="sup"/>4<emph.end type="sup"/>” Afterward they fix the hook of the drawing-rope <lb/>into the bale; then the buckets are drawn up by machines—the smaller ones, <lb/>because of their lighter weight, by machines turned by men, and the larger <lb/>ones, being heavier, by the machines turned by horses. </s> | <s>Each kind of bucket is much <lb/>deeper than it is wide, and each is wider at the top, in order that the material <lb/>which is dug out may be the more easily poured in and poured out again. <lb/></s> |
| | |
| | <s>Into the smaller buckets strong boys, and into larger ones men, fill earth <lb/>from the bottom of the shaft with hoes; or the other material dug up is <lb/>shovelled into them or filled in with their hands, for which reason these men <lb/>are called “shovellers.<emph type="sup"/>4<emph.end type="sup"/>” Afterward they fix the hook of the drawing-rope <lb/>into the bale; then the buckets are drawn up by machines—the smaller ones, <lb/>because of their lighter weight, by machines turned by men, and the larger <lb/>ones, being heavier, by the machines turned by horses. </s> |
| | |
| <s>Some, in place <lb/>of these buckets, substitute baskets which hold just as much, or even more, <lb/>since they are lighter than the buckets; some use sacks made of ox-hide <lb/>instead of buckets, and the drawing-rope hook is fastened to their iron bale, <lb/>usually three of these filled with excavated material are drawn up at the <lb/>same time as three are being lowered and three are being filled by boys. </s> | <s>Some, in place <lb/>of these buckets, substitute baskets which hold just as much, or even more, <lb/>since they are lighter than the buckets; some use sacks made of ox-hide <lb/>instead of buckets, and the drawing-rope hook is fastened to their iron bale, <lb/>usually three of these filled with excavated material are drawn up at the <lb/>same time as three are being lowered and three are being filled by boys. </s> |
| | |
| |
| | |
| <s>When filled with excavated material it is pushed <pb pagenum="155"/>by a workman out of tunnels or sheds. </s> | <s>When filled with excavated material it is pushed <pb pagenum="155"/>by a workman out of tunnels or sheds. </s> |
| | |
| <s>It is made as follows: two planks <lb/>are chosen about five feet long, one foot wide, and two digits thick; of <lb/>each of these the lower side is cut away at the front for a length of one <lb/>foot, and at the back for a length of two feet, while the middle is left whole. <lb/>Then in the front parts are bored circular holes, in order that the ends of an <lb/>axle may revolve in them. </s> | <s>It is made as follows: two planks <lb/>are chosen about five feet long, one foot wide, and two digits thick; of <lb/>each of these the lower side is cut away at the front for a length of one <lb/>foot, and at the back for a length of two feet, while the middle is left whole. <lb/></s> |
| | |
| | <s>Then in the front parts are bored circular holes, in order that the ends of an <lb/>axle may revolve in them. </s> |
| | |
| <s>The intermediate parts of the planks are <lb/>perforated twice near the bottom, so as to receive the heads of two little <lb/>cleats on which the planks are fixed; and they are also perforated in the <lb/>middle, so as to receive the heads of two end-boards, while keys fixed in <lb/>these projecting heads strengthen the whole structure. </s> | <s>The intermediate parts of the planks are <lb/>perforated twice near the bottom, so as to receive the heads of two little <lb/>cleats on which the planks are fixed; and they are also perforated in the <lb/>middle, so as to receive the heads of two end-boards, while keys fixed in <lb/>these projecting heads strengthen the whole structure. </s> |
| | |
| |
| | |
| <s>Pliny<emph type="sup"/>8<emph.end type="sup"/> is our authority that among the ancients everything <lb/>which was mined was carried out on men's shoulders, but in truth this <lb/>method of carrying forth burdens is onerous, since it causes great fatigue <lb/>to a great number of men, and involves a large expenditure for labour; for <lb/>this reason it has been rejected and abandoned in our day. </s> | <s>Pliny<emph type="sup"/>8<emph.end type="sup"/> is our authority that among the ancients everything <lb/>which was mined was carried out on men's shoulders, but in truth this <lb/>method of carrying forth burdens is onerous, since it causes great fatigue <lb/>to a great number of men, and involves a large expenditure for labour; for <lb/>this reason it has been rejected and abandoned in our day. </s> |
| | |
| <s>The length of <lb/>the larger batea is as much as three feet, the width up to a foot and a palm. <lb/>In these bateas the metallic earth is washed for the purpose of testing it.</s></p><p type="main"> | <s>The length of <lb/>the larger batea is as much as three feet, the width up to a foot and a palm. <lb/></s> |
| | |
| | <s>In these bateas the metallic earth is washed for the purpose of testing it.</s></p><p type="main"> |
| | |
| <s>Water-vessels differ both in the use to which they are put and in the <lb/>material of which they are made; some draw the water from the shafts and <lb/>pour it into other things, as dippers; while some of the vessels filled with <lb/>water are drawn out by machines, as buckets and bags; some are made of <lb/>wood, as the dippers and buckets, and others of hides, as the bags. </s> | <s>Water-vessels differ both in the use to which they are put and in the <lb/>material of which they are made; some draw the water from the shafts and <lb/>pour it into other things, as dippers; while some of the vessels filled with <lb/>water are drawn out by machines, as buckets and bags; some are made of <lb/>wood, as the dippers and buckets, and others of hides, as the bags. </s> |
| | |
| |
| | |
| <s>When the water has been drawn out from the shafts, it is run off in <lb/>troughs, or into a hopper, through which it runs into the trough. </s> | <s>When the water has been drawn out from the shafts, it is run off in <lb/>troughs, or into a hopper, through which it runs into the trough. </s> |
| | |
| <s>Likewise <lb/>the water which flows along the sides of the tunnels is carried off in drains. <lb/>These are composed of two hollowed beams joined firmly together, so as to <lb/>hold the water which flows through them, and they are covered by planks <lb/>all along their course, from the mouth of the tunnel right up to the extreme <lb/>end of it, to prevent earth or rock falling into them and obstructing the flow <lb/>of the water. </s> | <s>Likewise <lb/>the water which flows along the sides of the tunnels is carried off in drains. <lb/></s> |
| | |
| | <s>These are composed of two hollowed beams joined firmly together, so as to <lb/>hold the water which flows through them, and they are covered by planks <lb/>all along their course, from the mouth of the tunnel right up to the extreme <lb/>end of it, to prevent earth or rock falling into them and obstructing the flow <lb/>of the water. </s> |
| | |
| <s>If much mud gradually settles in them the planks are raised <lb/>and the drains are cleaned out, for they would otherwise become stopped up <lb/>and obstructed by this accident. </s> | <s>If much mud gradually settles in them the planks are raised <lb/>and the drains are cleaned out, for they would otherwise become stopped up <lb/>and obstructed by this accident. </s> |
| | |
| |
| | |
| <s>Of those by which dry loads <lb/>are drawn out of the shafts, five sorts are in the most common use, of which <lb/>I will now describe the first. </s> | <s>Of those by which dry loads <lb/>are drawn out of the shafts, five sorts are in the most common use, of which <lb/>I will now describe the first. </s> |
| | |
| <s>Two timbers a little longer than the shaft are <lb/>placed beside it, the one in the front of the shaft, the other at the back. <lb/>Their extreme ends have holes through which stakes, pointed at the bottom <lb/>like wedges, are driven deeply into the ground, so that the timbers may remain <lb/>stationary. </s> | <s>Two timbers a little longer than the shaft are <lb/>placed beside it, the one in the front of the shaft, the other at the back. <lb/></s> |
| | |
| | <s>Their extreme ends have holes through which stakes, pointed at the bottom <lb/>like wedges, are driven deeply into the ground, so that the timbers may remain <lb/>stationary. </s> |
| | |
| <s>Into these timbers are mortised the ends of two cross-timbers, <lb/>one laid on the right end of the shaft, while the other is far enough <lb/>from the left end that between it and that end there remains suitable <lb/>space for placing the ladders. </s> | <s>Into these timbers are mortised the ends of two cross-timbers, <lb/>one laid on the right end of the shaft, while the other is far enough <lb/>from the left end that between it and that end there remains suitable <lb/>space for placing the ladders. </s> |
| | |
| |
| | |
| <s>Two robust men turn <lb/>the windlass, each having a wheelbarrow near him, into which he unloads <lb/>the bucket which is drawn up nearest to him; two buckets generally fill a <lb/>wheelbarrow; therefore when four buckets have been drawn up, each man <lb/>runs his own wheelbarrow out of the shed and empties it. </s> | <s>Two robust men turn <lb/>the windlass, each having a wheelbarrow near him, into which he unloads <lb/>the bucket which is drawn up nearest to him; two buckets generally fill a <lb/>wheelbarrow; therefore when four buckets have been drawn up, each man <lb/>runs his own wheelbarrow out of the shed and empties it. </s> |
| | |
| <s>Thus it happens <lb/>that if shafts are dug deep, a hillock rises around the shed of the windlass. <lb/>If a vein is not metal-bearing, they pour out the earth and rock without <lb/>discriminating; whereas if it is metal-bearing, they preserve these materials, <pb pagenum="161"/>which they unload separately and crush and wash. </s> | <s>Thus it happens <lb/>that if shafts are dug deep, a hillock rises around the shed of the windlass. <lb/></s> |
| | |
| | <s>If a vein is not metal-bearing, they pour out the earth and rock without <lb/>discriminating; whereas if it is metal-bearing, they preserve these materials, <pb pagenum="161"/>which they unload separately and crush and wash. </s> |
| | |
| <s>When they draw up <lb/>buckets of water they empty the water through the hopper into a trough, <lb/>through which it flows away.</s></p><figure></figure><p type="caption"> | <s>When they draw up <lb/>buckets of water they empty the water through the hopper into a trough, <lb/>through which it flows away.</s></p><figure></figure><p type="caption"> |
| | |
| <s>A—TIMBER PLACED IN FRONT OF THE SHAFT. B—TIMBER PLACED AT THE BACK OF THE <lb/>SHAFT. C—POINTED STAKES. D—CROSS-TIMBERS. E—POSTS OR THICK PLANKS. <lb/>F—IRON SOCKETS. G—BARREL. H—ENDS OF BARREL. I—PIECES OF WOOD. <lb/>K—HANDLE. L—DRAWING-ROPE. M—ITS HOOK. N—BUCKET. O—BALE OF THE <lb/>BUCKET.</s></p><p type="main"> | <s>A—TIMBER PLACED IN FRONT OF THE SHAFT. B—TIMBER PLACED AT THE BACK OF THE <lb/>SHAFT. C—POINTED STAKES. D—CROSS-TIMBERS. E—POSTS OR THICK PLANKS. <lb/>F—IRON SOCKETS. G—BARREL. H—ENDS OF BARREL. I—PIECES OF WOOD. <lb/>K—HANDLE. L—DRAWING-ROPE. M—ITS HOOK. N—BUCKET. O—BALE OF THE <lb/>BUCKET.</s></p><p type="main"> |
| | |
| <s>The next kind of machine, which miners employ when the shaft is <lb/>deeper, differs from the first in that it possesses a wheel as well as cranks. <lb/>This windlass, if the load is not being drawn up from a great depth, is turned <lb/>by one windlass man, the wheel taking the place of the other man. </s> | <s>The next kind of machine, which miners employ when the shaft is <lb/>deeper, differs from the first in that it possesses a wheel as well as cranks. <lb/></s> |
| | |
| | <s>This windlass, if the load is not being drawn up from a great depth, is turned <lb/>by one windlass man, the wheel taking the place of the other man. </s> |
| | |
| <s>But if the <lb/>depth is greater, then the windlass is turned by three men, the wheel being <lb/>substituted for a fourth, because the barrel having been once set in motion, <lb/>the rapid revolutions of the wheel help, and it can be turned more easily. <lb/>Sometimes masses of lead are hung on to this wheel, or are fastened to the <lb/>spokes, in order that when it is turned they depress the spokes by their weight <lb/>and increase the motion; some persons for the same reason fasten into the <lb/>barrel two, three, or four iron rods, and weight their ends with lumps of lead. <lb/>The windlass wheel differs from the wheel of a carriage and from the one </s></p><pb pagenum="162"/><figure></figure><p type="caption"> | <s>But if the <lb/>depth is greater, then the windlass is turned by three men, the wheel being <lb/>substituted for a fourth, because the barrel having been once set in motion, <lb/>the rapid revolutions of the wheel help, and it can be turned more easily. <lb/></s> |
| | |
| | <s>Sometimes masses of lead are hung on to this wheel, or are fastened to the <lb/>spokes, in order that when it is turned they depress the spokes by their weight <lb/>and increase the motion; some persons for the same reason fasten into the <lb/>barrel two, three, or four iron rods, and weight their ends with lumps of lead. <lb/></s> |
| | |
| | <s>The windlass wheel differs from the wheel of a carriage and from the one </s></p><pb pagenum="162"/><figure></figure><p type="caption"> |
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| <s>A—BARREL. B—STRAIGHT LEVERS. C—USUAL CRANK. D—SPOKES OF WHEEL. <lb/>E—RIM OF THE SAME WHEEL.<lb/>which is turned by water power, for it lacks the buckets of a water-wheel <lb/>and it lacks the nave of a carriage wheel. </s> | <s>A—BARREL. B—STRAIGHT LEVERS. C—USUAL CRANK. D—SPOKES OF WHEEL. <lb/>E—RIM OF THE SAME WHEEL.<lb/>which is turned by water power, for it lacks the buckets of a water-wheel <lb/>and it lacks the nave of a carriage wheel. </s> |
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| <s>Thus a circular area is made, the diameter of <lb/>which is fifty feet; in the middle of this area a hole is sunk to a depth of ten <lb/>feet, and rammed down tight, and in order to give it sufficient firmness, it is <lb/>strengthened with contiguous small timbers, through which pins are driven, <lb/>for by them the earth around the hole is held so that it cannot fall in. </s> | <s>Thus a circular area is made, the diameter of <lb/>which is fifty feet; in the middle of this area a hole is sunk to a depth of ten <lb/>feet, and rammed down tight, and in order to give it sufficient firmness, it is <lb/>strengthened with contiguous small timbers, through which pins are driven, <lb/>for by them the earth around the hole is held so that it cannot fall in. </s> |
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| <s>In <lb/>the bottom of the hole is planted a sill, three or four feet long and a foot and a <lb/>half thick and wide; in order that it may remain fixed, it is set into the small <lb/>timbers; in the middle of it is a steel socket in which the pivot of the axle turns. <lb/>In like manner a timber is mortised into two of the large beams, at the top <lb/>beneath the clamps; this has an iron bearing in which the other iron journal of <lb/>the axle revolves. </s> | <s>In <lb/>the bottom of the hole is planted a sill, three or four feet long and a foot and a <lb/>half thick and wide; in order that it may remain fixed, it is set into the small <lb/>timbers; in the middle of it is a steel socket in which the pivot of the axle turns. <lb/></s> |
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| | <s>In like manner a timber is mortised into two of the large beams, at the top <lb/>beneath the clamps; this has an iron bearing in which the other iron journal of <lb/>the axle revolves. </s> |
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| <s>Every axle used in mining, to speak of them once for all, <lb/>has two iron journals, rounded off on all sides, one fixed with keys in the centre <lb/>of each end. </s> | <s>Every axle used in mining, to speak of them once for all, <lb/>has two iron journals, rounded off on all sides, one fixed with keys in the centre <lb/>of each end. </s> |
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| <s>Next, there is a drum which is made of <lb/>three wheels, of which the middle one is seven feet distant from the upper <lb/>one and from the lower one; the wheels have four spokes which are <lb/>supported by the same number of inclined braces, the lower ends of which <lb/>are joined together round the axle by a clamp; one end of each spoke is <lb/>mortised into the axle and the other into the rim. </s> | <s>Next, there is a drum which is made of <lb/>three wheels, of which the middle one is seven feet distant from the upper <lb/>one and from the lower one; the wheels have four spokes which are <lb/>supported by the same number of inclined braces, the lower ends of which <lb/>are joined together round the axle by a clamp; one end of each spoke is <lb/>mortised into the axle and the other into the rim. </s> |
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| <s>There are rundles all <lb/>round the wheels, reaching from the rim of the lowest one to the rim of the <lb/>middle one, and likewise from the rim of the middle wheel to the rim of the top <lb/>one; around these rundles are wound the drawing-ropes, one between the lowest <lb/>wheel and the middle one, the other between the middle and top wheels. <lb/>The whole of this construction is shaped like a cone, and is covered with a <lb/>shingle roof, with the exception of that square part which faces the shaft. <lb/>Then cross-beams, mortised at both ends, connect a double row of upright <lb/>posts; all of these are eighteen feet long, but the posts are one foot thick <lb/>and one foot wide, and the cross-beams are three palms thick and wide. <lb/>There are sixteen posts and eight cross-beams, and upon these cross-beams <lb/>are laid two timbers a foot wide and three palms thick, hollowed out to a <lb/>width of half a foot and to a depth of five digits; the one is laid upon the <lb/>upper cross-beams and the other upon the lower; each is long enough to <lb/>reach nearly from the drum of the whim to the shaft. </s> | <s>There are rundles all <lb/>round the wheels, reaching from the rim of the lowest one to the rim of the <lb/>middle one, and likewise from the rim of the middle wheel to the rim of the top <lb/>one; around these rundles are wound the drawing-ropes, one between the lowest <lb/>wheel and the middle one, the other between the middle and top wheels. <lb/></s> |
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| | <s>The whole of this construction is shaped like a cone, and is covered with a <lb/>shingle roof, with the exception of that square part which faces the shaft. <lb/></s> |
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| | <s>Then cross-beams, mortised at both ends, connect a double row of upright <lb/>posts; all of these are eighteen feet long, but the posts are one foot thick <lb/>and one foot wide, and the cross-beams are three palms thick and wide. <lb/></s> |
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| | <s>There are sixteen posts and eight cross-beams, and upon these cross-beams <lb/>are laid two timbers a foot wide and three palms thick, hollowed out to a <lb/>width of half a foot and to a depth of five digits; the one is laid upon the <lb/>upper cross-beams and the other upon the lower; each is long enough to <lb/>reach nearly from the drum of the whim to the shaft. </s> |
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| <s>Near the same drum <lb/>each timber has a small round wooden roller six digits thick, whose ends are </s></p><pb pagenum="165"/><figure></figure><p type="caption"> | <s>Near the same drum <lb/>each timber has a small round wooden roller six digits thick, whose ends are </s></p><pb pagenum="165"/><figure></figure><p type="caption"> |
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| <s>Each of these blocks has an iron <lb/>clavis which holds a chain, and that in turn a pole-bar. </s> | <s>Each of these blocks has an iron <lb/>clavis which holds a chain, and that in turn a pole-bar. </s> |
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| <s>In this way it is <lb/>possible for two horses to draw this whim, now this way and now that; turn <lb/>by turn one bucket is drawn out of the shaft full and another is let down <lb/>into it empty; if, indeed, the shaft is very deep four horses turn the whim. <lb/>When a bucket has been drawn up, whether filled with dry or wet materials, <lb/>it must be emptied, and a workman inserts a grappling hook and overturns <lb/>it; this hook hangs on a chain made of three or four links, fixed to a timber.</s></p><p type="main"> | <s>In this way it is <lb/>possible for two horses to draw this whim, now this way and now that; turn <lb/>by turn one bucket is drawn out of the shaft full and another is let down <lb/>into it empty; if, indeed, the shaft is very deep four horses turn the whim. <lb/></s> |
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| | <s>When a bucket has been drawn up, whether filled with dry or wet materials, <lb/>it must be emptied, and a workman inserts a grappling hook and overturns <lb/>it; this hook hangs on a chain made of three or four links, fixed to a timber.</s></p><p type="main"> |
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| <s>The fifth machine is partly like the whim, and partly like the third rag <lb/>and chain pump, which draws water by balls when turned by horse power, <lb/>as I will explain a little later. </s> | <s>The fifth machine is partly like the whim, and partly like the third rag <lb/>and chain pump, which draws water by balls when turned by horse power, <lb/>as I will explain a little later. </s> |
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| <s>As I have said, the same <lb/>machines raise not only dry loads, but also wet ones, or water; but before <lb/>I explain the varied and diverse kinds of machines by which miners are wont </s></p><pb pagenum="170"/><figure></figure><p type="caption"> | <s>As I have said, the same <lb/>machines raise not only dry loads, but also wet ones, or water; but before <lb/>I explain the varied and diverse kinds of machines by which miners are wont </s></p><pb pagenum="170"/><figure></figure><p type="caption"> |
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| <s>A—HORSES WITH PACK-SADDLES. B—LONG BOX PLACED ON THE SLOPE OF THE CLIFF. <lb/>C—CLEATS THEREOF. D—WHEELBARROW. E—TWO-WHEELED CART. F—TRUNKS OF <lb/>TREES. G—WAGON. H—ORE BEING UNLOADED FROM THE WAGON. I—BARS. <lb/>K—MASTER OF THE WORKS MARKING THE NUMBER OF CARTS ON A STICK. L—BOXES <lb/>INTO WHICH ARE THROWN THE ORE WHICH HAS TO BE DIVIDED.<pb pagenum="171"/>to draw water alone, I will explain how heavy bodies, such as axles, iron <lb/>chains, pipes, and heavy timbers, should be lowered into deep vertical shafts. <lb/>A windlass is erected whose barrel has on each end four straight levers; it <lb/>is fixed into upright beams and around it is wound a rope, one end of which <lb/>is fastened to the barrel and the other to those heavy bodies which are slowly <lb/>lowered down by workmen; and if these halt at any part of the shaft they <lb/>are drawn up a little way. </s> | <s>A—HORSES WITH PACK-SADDLES. B—LONG BOX PLACED ON THE SLOPE OF THE CLIFF. <lb/>C—CLEATS THEREOF. D—WHEELBARROW. E—TWO-WHEELED CART. F—TRUNKS OF <lb/>TREES. G—WAGON. H—ORE BEING UNLOADED FROM THE WAGON. I—BARS. <lb/>K—MASTER OF THE WORKS MARKING THE NUMBER OF CARTS ON A STICK. L—BOXES <lb/>INTO WHICH ARE THROWN THE ORE WHICH HAS TO BE DIVIDED.<pb pagenum="171"/>to draw water alone, I will explain how heavy bodies, such as axles, iron <lb/>chains, pipes, and heavy timbers, should be lowered into deep vertical shafts. <lb/></s> |
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| | <s>A windlass is erected whose barrel has on each end four straight levers; it <lb/>is fixed into upright beams and around it is wound a rope, one end of which <lb/>is fastened to the barrel and the other to those heavy bodies which are slowly <lb/>lowered down by workmen; and if these halt at any part of the shaft they <lb/>are drawn up a little way. </s> |
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| <s>When these bodies are very heavy, then behind <lb/>this windlass another is erected just like it, that their combined strength <lb/>may be equal to the load, and that it may be lowered slowly. </s> | <s>When these bodies are very heavy, then behind <lb/>this windlass another is erected just like it, that their combined strength <lb/>may be equal to the load, and that it may be lowered slowly. </s> |
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| <s>For the first, a frame is <lb/>made entirely of iron bars: it is two and a half feet high, likewise two and <lb/>a half feet long, and in addition one-sixth and one-quarter of a digit <lb/>long, one-fourth and one-twenty-fourth of a foot wide. </s> | <s>For the first, a frame is <lb/>made entirely of iron bars: it is two and a half feet high, likewise two and <lb/>a half feet long, and in addition one-sixth and one-quarter of a digit <lb/>long, one-fourth and one-twenty-fourth of a foot wide. </s> |
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| <s>In it there are three <lb/>little horizontal iron axles, which revolve in bearings or wide pillows of steel. <lb/>and also four iron wheels, of which two are made with rundles and the same <lb/>number are toothed. </s> | <s>In it there are three <lb/>little horizontal iron axles, which revolve in bearings or wide pillows of steel. <lb/></s> |
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| | <s>and also four iron wheels, of which two are made with rundles and the same <lb/>number are toothed. </s> |
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| <s>Outside the frame, around the lowest axle, is a <lb/>wooden fly-wheel, so that it can be more readily turned, and inside the frame <lb/>is a smaller drum which is made of eight rundles, one-sixth and one twenty­<lb/>fourth of a foot long. </s> | <s>Outside the frame, around the lowest axle, is a <lb/>wooden fly-wheel, so that it can be more readily turned, and inside the frame <lb/>is a smaller drum which is made of eight rundles, one-sixth and one twenty­<lb/>fourth of a foot long. </s> |
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| <s>The teeth of each wheel are fixed in with screws, whose threads are <lb/>screwed into threads in the wheel, so that those teeth which are broken can be <lb/>replaced by others; both the teeth and rundles are steel. </s> | <s>The teeth of each wheel are fixed in with screws, whose threads are <lb/>screwed into threads in the wheel, so that those teeth which are broken can be <lb/>replaced by others; both the teeth and rundles are steel. </s> |
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| <s>The upper axle <lb/>projects beyond the frame, and is so skilfully mortised into the body of <lb/>another axle that it has the appearance of being one; this axle proceeds <lb/>through a frame made of beams which stands around the shaft, into an iron <lb/>fork set in a stout oak timber, and turns on a roller made of pure steel. <lb/>Around this axle is a drum of the kind possessed by those machines which <lb/>draw water by rag and chain; this drum has triple curved iron clamps, <lb/>to which the links of an iron chain hook themselves, so that a great weight <lb/>cannot tear them away. </s> | <s>The upper axle <lb/>projects beyond the frame, and is so skilfully mortised into the body of <lb/>another axle that it has the appearance of being one; this axle proceeds <lb/>through a frame made of beams which stands around the shaft, into an iron <lb/>fork set in a stout oak timber, and turns on a roller made of pure steel. <lb/></s> |
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| <s>These links are not whole like the links of other <lb/>chains, but each one being curved in the upper part on each side catches the <lb/>one which comes next, whereby it presents the appearance of a double chain. <lb/>At the point where one catches the other, dippers made of iron or brass plates <lb/>and holding half a <emph type="italics"/>congíus<emph.end type="italics"/><emph type="sup"/>13<emph.end type="sup"/> are bound to them with thongs; thus, if there are <lb/>one hundred links there will be the same number of dippers pouring out water. <lb/>When the shafts are inclined, the mouths of the dippers project and are covered <lb/>on the top that they may not spill out the water, but when the shafts are <lb/>vertical the dippers do not require a cover. </s> | <s>Around this axle is a drum of the kind possessed by those machines which <lb/>draw water by rag and chain; this drum has triple curved iron clamps, <lb/>to which the links of an iron chain hook themselves, so that a great weight <lb/>cannot tear them away. </s> |
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| | <s>These links are not whole like the links of other <lb/>chains, but each one being curved in the upper part on each side catches the <lb/>one which comes next, whereby it presents the appearance of a double chain. <lb/></s> |
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| | <s>At the point where one catches the other, dippers made of iron or brass plates <lb/>and holding half a <emph type="italics"/>congíus<emph.end type="italics"/><emph type="sup"/>13<emph.end type="sup"/> are bound to them with thongs; thus, if there are <lb/>one hundred links there will be the same number of dippers pouring out water. <lb/></s> |
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| | <s>When the shafts are inclined, the mouths of the dippers project and are covered <lb/>on the top that they may not spill out the water, but when the shafts are <lb/>vertical the dippers do not require a cover. </s> |
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| <s>By fitting the end of the lowest <lb/>small axle into the crank, the man who works the crank turns the axle, and at <lb/>the same time the drum whose rundles turn the toothed wheel of the second <lb/>axle; by this wheel is driven the one that is made of rundles, which <lb/></s></p><pb pagenum="173"/><figure></figure><p type="caption"> | <s>By fitting the end of the lowest <lb/>small axle into the crank, the man who works the crank turns the axle, and at <lb/>the same time the drum whose rundles turn the toothed wheel of the second <lb/>axle; by this wheel is driven the one that is made of rundles, which <lb/></s></p><pb pagenum="173"/><figure></figure><p type="caption"> |
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| <s>Since these pumps are composed of two lengths of pipe, the <lb/>little iron box having the iron valve which I described before, is not enclosed <lb/>in a trunk, but is in the lower length of pipe, at that point where it joins <lb/>the upper one; thus the rounded part of the piston-rod is only as long as <lb/>the upper length of pipe; but I will presently explain this more clearly.</s></p><p type="main"> | <s>Since these pumps are composed of two lengths of pipe, the <lb/>little iron box having the iron valve which I described before, is not enclosed <lb/>in a trunk, but is in the lower length of pipe, at that point where it joins <lb/>the upper one; thus the rounded part of the piston-rod is only as long as <lb/>the upper length of pipe; but I will presently explain this more clearly.</s></p><p type="main"> |
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| <s>The sixth kind of pump would be just the same as the fifth were it not <lb/>that it has an axle instead of a barrel, turned not by men but by a water­<lb/>wheel, which is revolved by the force of water striking its buckets. <lb/>Since water-power far exceeds human strength, this machine draws water <lb/>through its pipes by discs out of a shaft more than one hundred feet deep. <lb/>The bottom of the lowest pipe, set in the sump, not only of this pump but <lb/>also of the others, is generally enclosed in a basket made of wicker-work, to <lb/>prevent wood shavings and other things being sucked in. (See p. </s> | <s>The sixth kind of pump would be just the same as the fifth were it not <lb/>that it has an axle instead of a barrel, turned not by men but by a water­<lb/>wheel, which is revolved by the force of water striking its buckets. <lb/></s> |
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| | <s>Since water-power far exceeds human strength, this machine draws water <lb/>through its pipes by discs out of a shaft more than one hundred feet deep. <lb/></s> |
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| | <s>The bottom of the lowest pipe, set in the sump, not only of this pump but <lb/>also of the others, is generally enclosed in a basket made of wicker-work, to <lb/>prevent wood shavings and other things being sucked in. (See p. </s> |
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| <s>183.)</s></p><p type="main"> | <s>183.)</s></p><p type="main"> |
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| <s>The seventh kind of pump, invented ten years ago, which is the most <lb/>ingenious, durable, and useful of all, can be made without much expense. </s> | <s>The seventh kind of pump, invented ten years ago, which is the most <lb/>ingenious, durable, and useful of all, can be made without much expense. </s> |
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| <s>It <lb/>is composed of several pumps, which do not, like those last described, go down <lb/>into the shaft together, but of which one is below the other, for if there are <lb/>three, as is generally the case, the lower one lifts the water of the sump and <lb/>pours it out into the first tank; the second pump lifts again from that tank <lb/>into a second tank, and the third pump lifts it into the drain of the tunnel. <lb/>A wheel fifteen feet high raises the piston-rods of all these pumps at the same <lb/>time and causes them to drop together. </s> | <s>It <lb/>is composed of several pumps, which do not, like those last described, go down <lb/>into the shaft together, but of which one is below the other, for if there are <lb/>three, as is generally the case, the lower one lifts the water of the sump and <lb/>pours it out into the first tank; the second pump lifts again from that tank <lb/>into a second tank, and the third pump lifts it into the drain of the tunnel. <lb/></s> |
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| | <s>A wheel fifteen feet high raises the piston-rods of all these pumps at the same <lb/>time and causes them to drop together. </s> |
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| <s>The wheel is made to revolve by <lb/>paddles, turned by the force of a stream which has been diverted to the <lb/>mountain. </s> | <s>The wheel is made to revolve by <lb/>paddles, turned by the force of a stream which has been diverted to the <lb/>mountain. </s> |
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| <s>And by this <lb/>system, at the same time the water is lifted into the tanks and drained out of <lb/>them; from the sump at the bottom of the shaft it is drained out, and it <lb/>is poured into the trough of the tunnel. </s> | <s>And by this <lb/>system, at the same time the water is lifted into the tanks and drained out of <lb/>them; from the sump at the bottom of the shaft it is drained out, and it <lb/>is poured into the trough of the tunnel. </s> |
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| <s>Further, around the main axle there <lb/>may be placed two water wheels, if the river supplies enough water to turn <lb/>them, and from the back part of each round iron crank, one or two pump-rods <lb/>can be hung, each of which can move the piston-rods of three pumps. <lb/>Lastly, it is necessary that the shafts from which the water is pumped out in <lb/>pipes should be vertical, for as in the case of the hauling machines, all pumps <lb/>which have pipes do not draw the water so high if the pipes are inclined in <lb/>inclined shafts, as if they are placed vertically in vertical shafts.</s></p><p type="main"> | <s>Further, around the main axle there <lb/>may be placed two water wheels, if the river supplies enough water to turn <lb/>them, and from the back part of each round iron crank, one or two pump-rods <lb/>can be hung, each of which can move the piston-rods of three pumps. <lb/></s> |
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| | <s>Lastly, it is necessary that the shafts from which the water is pumped out in <lb/>pipes should be vertical, for as in the case of the hauling machines, all pumps <lb/>which have pipes do not draw the water so high if the pipes are inclined in <lb/>inclined shafts, as if they are placed vertically in vertical shafts.</s></p><p type="main"> |
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| <s>If the river does not supply enough water-power to turn the last­<lb/>described pump, which happens because of the nature of the locality <lb/>or occurs during the summer season when there are daily droughts, a <lb/>machine is built with a wheel so low and light that the water of ever so little a </s></p><figure></figure><p type="caption"> | <s>If the river does not supply enough water-power to turn the last­<lb/>described pump, which happens because of the nature of the locality <lb/>or occurs during the summer season when there are daily droughts, a <lb/>machine is built with a wheel so low and light that the water of ever so little a </s></p><figure></figure><p type="caption"> |
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| <s>So both this <lb/>water from the mine, as well as the water of the stream, being turned down <lb/>the races on to that subterranean wheel of the lower machine, turns it, and <lb/>water is pumped out of the deeper part of the shaft by means of two or <lb/>three pumps.<emph type="sup"/>16<emph.end type="sup"/></s></p><p type="main"> | <s>So both this <lb/>water from the mine, as well as the water of the stream, being turned down <lb/>the races on to that subterranean wheel of the lower machine, turns it, and <lb/>water is pumped out of the deeper part of the shaft by means of two or <lb/>three pumps.<emph type="sup"/>16<emph.end type="sup"/></s></p><p type="main"> |
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| <s>If the stream supplies enough water straightway to turn a higher and <lb/>heavier water-wheel, then a toothed drum is fixed to the other end of the <lb/>axle, and this turns the drum made of rundles on another axle set below it. <lb/>To each end of this lower axle there is fitted a crank of round iron curved <lb/>like the horns of the moon, of the kind employed in machines of this <lb/>description. </s> | <s>If the stream supplies enough water straightway to turn a higher and <lb/>heavier water-wheel, then a toothed drum is fixed to the other end of the <lb/>axle, and this turns the drum made of rundles on another axle set below it. <lb/></s> |
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| | <s>To each end of this lower axle there is fitted a crank of round iron curved <lb/>like the horns of the moon, of the kind employed in machines of this <lb/>description. </s> |
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| <s>This machine, since it has rows of pumps on each side, <lb/>draws great quantities of water.</s></p><p type="main"> | <s>This machine, since it has rows of pumps on each side, <lb/>draws great quantities of water.</s></p><p type="main"> |
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| <s>Of the rag and chain pumps there are six kinds known to us, of which <lb/>the first is made as follows: A cave is dug under the surface of earth or in a <lb/>tunnel, and timbered on all sides by stout posts and planks, to prevent either <lb/>the men from being crushed or the machine from being broken by its collapse. <lb/>In this cave, thus timbered, is placed a water-wheel fitted to an angular axle. <lb/>The iron journals of the axle revolve in iron pillows, which are held in timbers <lb/>of sufficient strength. </s> | <s>Of the rag and chain pumps there are six kinds known to us, of which <lb/>the first is made as follows: A cave is dug under the surface of earth or in a <lb/>tunnel, and timbered on all sides by stout posts and planks, to prevent either <lb/>the men from being crushed or the machine from being broken by its collapse. <lb/></s> |
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| | <s>In this cave, thus timbered, is placed a water-wheel fitted to an angular axle. <lb/></s> |
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| | <s>The iron journals of the axle revolve in iron pillows, which are held in timbers <lb/>of sufficient strength. </s> |
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| <s>The wheel is generally twenty-four feet high, <lb/>occasionally thirty, and in no way different from those which are made for <lb/>grinding corn, except that it is a little narrower. </s> | <s>The wheel is generally twenty-four feet high, <lb/>occasionally thirty, and in no way different from those which are made for <lb/>grinding corn, except that it is a little narrower. </s> |
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| <s>But such work requires <lb/>a stream with greater water-power.</s></p><p type="main"> | <s>But such work requires <lb/>a stream with greater water-power.</s></p><p type="main"> |
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| <s>The next pump has two drums, two rows of pipes and two drawing­<lb/>chains whose balls lift out the water; otherwise they are like the last pump. <lb/>This pump is usually built when an excessive amount of water flows into the <lb/>sump. </s> | <s>The next pump has two drums, two rows of pipes and two drawing­<lb/>chains whose balls lift out the water; otherwise they are like the last pump. <lb/></s> |
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| | <s>This pump is usually built when an excessive amount of water flows into the <lb/>sump. </s> |
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| <s>These two pumps are turned by water-power; indeed, water draws <lb/>water.</s></p><p type="main"> | <s>These two pumps are turned by water-power; indeed, water draws <lb/>water.</s></p><p type="main"> |
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| <s>This <lb/>plank is so heavy that it can drag down the wire and its iron clasp and <lb/>hook, together with the cord, and thus pull the stone upwards. </s> | <s>This <lb/>plank is so heavy that it can drag down the wire and its iron clasp and <lb/>hook, together with the cord, and thus pull the stone upwards. </s> |
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| <s>Thus, as <lb/>the water decreases, the plank decends and the stone is raised; on the <lb/>contrary, when the water increases the plank rises and the stone is lowered. <lb/>When the stone nearly touches the beam, since this indicates that the water <lb/>has been exhausted from the sump by the pump, the overseer in charge of the <lb/>machine closes the water-race and stops the water-wheel: when the stone <lb/>nearly touches the ground at the side of the shaft, this indicates that the <lb/>sump is full of water which has again collected in it, because the water raises <lb/>the plank and thus the stone drags back both the rope and the iron wire; <lb/>then the overseer opens the water-race, whereupon the water of the stream <lb/>again strikes the buckets of the water-wheel and turns the pump. </s> | <s>Thus, as <lb/>the water decreases, the plank decends and the stone is raised; on the <lb/>contrary, when the water increases the plank rises and the stone is lowered. <lb/></s> |
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| | <s>When the stone nearly touches the beam, since this indicates that the water <lb/>has been exhausted from the sump by the pump, the overseer in charge of the <lb/>machine closes the water-race and stops the water-wheel: when the stone <lb/>nearly touches the ground at the side of the shaft, this indicates that the <lb/>sump is full of water which has again collected in it, because the water raises <lb/>the plank and thus the stone drags back both the rope and the iron wire; <lb/>then the overseer opens the water-race, whereupon the water of the stream <lb/>again strikes the buckets of the water-wheel and turns the pump. </s> |
| | |
| <s>As <lb/>workmen generally cease from their labours on the yearly holidays, and </s></p><pb pagenum="191"/><figure></figure><p type="caption"> | <s>As <lb/>workmen generally cease from their labours on the yearly holidays, and </s></p><pb pagenum="191"/><figure></figure><p type="caption"> |
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| |
| | |
| <s>These teeth turn a second horizontal axle by means of a drum <lb/>composed of twelve rundles, each three feet long and six digits wide and <lb/>thick. </s> | <s>These teeth turn a second horizontal axle by means of a drum <lb/>composed of twelve rundles, each three feet long and six digits wide and <lb/>thick. </s> |
| | |
| <s>This drum, being turned, causes the axle to revolve, and around this <lb/>axle there is a drum having iron clamps with four-fold curves in which catch <lb/>the links of a chain, which draws water through pipes by means of balls. <lb/>The iron journals of this horizontal axle revolve on pillows which are set in <lb/>the centre of timbers. </s> | <s>This drum, being turned, causes the axle to revolve, and around this <lb/>axle there is a drum having iron clamps with four-fold curves in which catch <lb/>the links of a chain, which draws water through pipes by means of balls. <lb/></s> |
| | |
| | <s>The iron journals of this horizontal axle revolve on pillows which are set in <lb/>the centre of timbers. </s> |
| | |
| <s>Above the roof of the chamber there are mortised <lb/>into the upright axle the ends of two beams which rise obliquely; the upper <lb/>ends of these beams support double cross-beams, likewise mortised to the <lb/>axle. </s> | <s>Above the roof of the chamber there are mortised <lb/>into the upright axle the ends of two beams which rise obliquely; the upper <lb/>ends of these beams support double cross-beams, likewise mortised to the <lb/>axle. </s> |
| | |
| |
| | |
| <s>The barrel <lb/>of this machine, just like the horizontal axle of the other machines, has a <lb/>drum whose iron clamps catch the links of a drawing-chain. </s> | <s>The barrel <lb/>of this machine, just like the horizontal axle of the other machines, has a <lb/>drum whose iron clamps catch the links of a drawing-chain. </s> |
| | |
| <s>Thus water <lb/>is drawn through the pipes by the balls from a depth of forty-eight feet. <lb/>Human strength cannot draw water higher than this, because such very <lb/>heavy labour exhausts not only men, but even horses; only water-power <lb/>can drive continuously a drum of this kind. </s> | <s>Thus water <lb/>is drawn through the pipes by the balls from a depth of forty-eight feet. <lb/></s> |
| | |
| | <s>Human strength cannot draw water higher than this, because such very <lb/>heavy labour exhausts not only men, but even horses; only water-power <lb/>can drive continuously a drum of this kind. </s> |
| | |
| <s>Several pumps of this kind, as <lb/>of the last, are often built for the purpose of mining on a single vein, <lb/>but they are arranged differently for different positions and depths.</s></p><figure></figure><p type="caption"> | <s>Several pumps of this kind, as <lb/>of the last, are often built for the purpose of mining on a single vein, <lb/>but they are arranged differently for different positions and depths.</s></p><figure></figure><p type="caption"> |
| | |
| |
| | |
| <s>The axle is square and is thirty-five feet long and two feet thick <lb/>and wide. </s> | <s>The axle is square and is thirty-five feet long and two feet thick <lb/>and wide. </s> |
| | |
| <s>Beyond the wheel, at a distance of six feet, the axle has four hubs, <lb/>one foot wide and thick, each one of which is four feet distant from the next<gap/><lb/>to these hubs are fixed by iron nails as many pieces of wood as are necessary <lb/>to cover the hubs, and, in order that the wood pieces may fit tight, they are <lb/>broader on the outside and narrower on the inside; in this way a drum is <lb/>made, around which is wound a chain to whose ends are hooked leather bags. <lb/>The reason why a drum of this kind is made, is that the axle may be kept in <lb/>good condition, because this drum when it becomes worn away by use can <lb/>be repaired easily. </s> | <s>Beyond the wheel, at a distance of six feet, the axle has four hubs, <lb/>one foot wide and thick, each one of which is four feet distant from the next<gap/><lb/>to these hubs are fixed by iron nails as many pieces of wood as are necessary <lb/>to cover the hubs, and, in order that the wood pieces may fit tight, they are <lb/>broader on the outside and narrower on the inside; in this way a drum is <lb/>made, around which is wound a chain to whose ends are hooked leather bags. <lb/></s> |
| | |
| | <s>The reason why a drum of this kind is made, is that the axle may be kept in <lb/>good condition, because this drum when it becomes worn away by use can <lb/>be repaired easily. </s> |
| | |
| <s>Further along the axle, not far from the end, is another <lb/>drum one foot broad, projecting two feet on all sides around the axle. </s> | <s>Further along the axle, not far from the end, is another <lb/>drum one foot broad, projecting two feet on all sides around the axle. </s> |
| | |
| <s>And <lb/>to this, when occasion demands, a brake is applied forcibly and holds back <lb/>the machine; this kind of brake I have explained before. </s> | <s>And <lb/>to this, when occasion demands, a brake is applied forcibly and holds back <lb/>the machine; this kind of brake I have explained before. </s> |
| | |
| <s>Near the axle, <lb/>in place of a hopper, there is a floor with a considerable slope, having in <lb/>front of the shaft a width of fifteen feet and the same at the back; at each <lb/>side of it there is a stout post carrying an iron chain which has a large hook. <lb/>Five men operate this machine; one lets down the doors which close the <lb/>reservoir gates, or by drawing down the levers, opens the water-races; this <lb/>man, who is the director of this machine, stands in a hanging cage beside the <lb/>reservoir. </s> | <s>Near the axle, <lb/>in place of a hopper, there is a floor with a considerable slope, having in <lb/>front of the shaft a width of fifteen feet and the same at the back; at each <lb/>side of it there is a stout post carrying an iron chain which has a large hook. <lb/></s> |
| | |
| | <s>Five men operate this machine; one lets down the doors which close the <lb/>reservoir gates, or by drawing down the levers, opens the water-races; this <lb/>man, who is the director of this machine, stands in a hanging cage beside the <lb/>reservoir. </s> |
| | |
| <s>When one bag has been drawn out nearly as far as the sloping <lb/>floor, he closes the water gate in order that the wheel may be stopped; when <lb/>the bag has been emptied he opens the other water gate, in order that the <lb/>other set of buckets may receive the water and drive the wheel in the opposite <lb/>direction. </s> | <s>When one bag has been drawn out nearly as far as the sloping <lb/>floor, he closes the water gate in order that the wheel may be stopped; when <lb/>the bag has been emptied he opens the other water gate, in order that the <lb/>other set of buckets may receive the water and drive the wheel in the opposite <lb/>direction. </s> |
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| |
| | |
| <s>If a shaft is very deep and no tunnel reaches to it, or no drift <lb/>from another shaft connects with it, or when a tunnel is of great length and <lb/>no shaft reaches to it, then the air does not replenish itself. </s> | <s>If a shaft is very deep and no tunnel reaches to it, or no drift <lb/>from another shaft connects with it, or when a tunnel is of great length and <lb/>no shaft reaches to it, then the air does not replenish itself. </s> |
| | |
| <s>In such a case it <lb/>weighs heavily on the miners, causing them to breathe with difficulty, and <lb/>sometimes they are even suffocated, and burning lamps are also extinguished. <lb/>There is, therefore, a necessity for machines which the Greeks call <lb/><foreign lang="greek">pneumatika/i</foreign> and the Latins <emph type="italics"/>spiritales<emph.end type="italics"/>—though they do not give forth any <lb/>sound—which enable the miners to breathe easily and carry on their work.</s></p><p type="main"> | <s>In such a case it <lb/>weighs heavily on the miners, causing them to breathe with difficulty, and <lb/>sometimes they are even suffocated, and burning lamps are also extinguished. <lb/></s> |
| | |
| | <s>There is, therefore, a necessity for machines which the Greeks call <lb/><foreign lang="greek">pneumatika/i</foreign> and the Latins <emph type="italics"/>spiritales<emph.end type="italics"/>—though they do not give forth any <lb/>sound—which enable the miners to breathe easily and carry on their work.</s></p><p type="main"> |
| | |
| <s>These devices are of three genera. </s> | <s>These devices are of three genera. </s> |
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| |
| | |
| <s>In this way four angles <lb/>and the same number of intervening hollows are created, which collect the <lb/>winds that blow from all directions. </s> | <s>In this way four angles <lb/>and the same number of intervening hollows are created, which collect the <lb/>winds that blow from all directions. </s> |
| | |
| <s>The planks are roofed above with a <lb/>cover made in a circular shape, and are open below, in order that the wind may <lb/>not be diverted upward and escape, but may be carried downward; and there­<lb/>by the winds of necessity blow into the shafts through these four openings. <lb/>However, there is no need to roof this kind of machine in those localities in <lb/>which it can be so placed that the wind can blow down through its topmost <lb/>part.</s></p><pb pagenum="201"/><figure></figure><p type="caption"> | <s>The planks are roofed above with a <lb/>cover made in a circular shape, and are open below, in order that the wind may <lb/>not be diverted upward and escape, but may be carried downward; and there­<lb/>by the winds of necessity blow into the shafts through these four openings. <lb/></s> |
| | |
| | <s>However, there is no need to roof this kind of machine in those localities in <lb/>which it can be so placed that the wind can blow down through its topmost <lb/>part.</s></p><pb pagenum="201"/><figure></figure><p type="caption"> |
| | |
| <s>A—SILLS. B—POINTED STAKES. C—CROSS-BEAMS. D—UPRIGHT PLANKS. <lb/>E—HOLLOWS. F—WINDS. G—COVERING DISC. H—SHAFTS. I—MACHINE <lb/>WITHOUT A COVERING.</s></p><p type="main"> | <s>A—SILLS. B—POINTED STAKES. C—CROSS-BEAMS. D—UPRIGHT PLANKS. <lb/>E—HOLLOWS. F—WINDS. G—COVERING DISC. H—SHAFTS. I—MACHINE <lb/>WITHOUT A COVERING.</s></p><p type="main"> |
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| |
| | |
| <s>I need not <lb/>describe how they are made, because they are used everywhere, and need <lb/>not so much skill in their construction as care in fixing them. </s> | <s>I need not <lb/>describe how they are made, because they are used everywhere, and need <lb/>not so much skill in their construction as care in fixing them. </s> |
| | |
| <s>However, <lb/>miners go down into mines not only by the steps of ladders, but they are <lb/>also lowered into them while sitting on a stick or a wicker basket, fastened to <lb/>the rope of one of the three drawing machines which I described at first. <lb/>Further, when the shafts are much inclined, miners and other workmen <lb/>sit in the dirt which surrounds their loins and slide down in the same way <lb/>that boys do in winter-time when the water on some hillside has congealed <lb/>with the cold, and to prevent themselves from falling, one arm is wound about <lb/>a rope, the upper end of which is fastened to a beam at the mouth of the shaft, <lb/>and the lower end to a stake fixed in the bottom of the shaft. </s> | <s>However, <lb/>miners go down into mines not only by the steps of ladders, but they are <lb/>also lowered into them while sitting on a stick or a wicker basket, fastened to <lb/>the rope of one of the three drawing machines which I described at first. <lb/></s> |
| | |
| | <s>Further, when the shafts are much inclined, miners and other workmen <lb/>sit in the dirt which surrounds their loins and slide down in the same way <lb/>that boys do in winter-time when the water on some hillside has congealed <lb/>with the cold, and to prevent themselves from falling, one arm is wound about <lb/>a rope, the upper end of which is fastened to a beam at the mouth of the shaft, <lb/>and the lower end to a stake fixed in the bottom of the shaft. </s> |
| | |
| <s>In these three <lb/>ways miners descend into the shafts. </s> | <s>In these three <lb/>ways miners descend into the shafts. </s> |
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| |
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| <s>Stagnant air, both that which remains in a shaft and that which remains <lb/>in a tunnel, produces a difficulty in breathing; the remedies for this evil <lb/>are the ventilating machines which I have explained above. </s> | <s>Stagnant air, both that which remains in a shaft and that which remains <lb/>in a tunnel, produces a difficulty in breathing; the remedies for this evil <lb/>are the ventilating machines which I have explained above. </s> |
| | |
| <s>There is another <lb/>illness even more destructive, which soon brings death to men who work <lb/>in those shafts or levels or tunnels in which the hard rock is broken by fire. <lb/>Here the air is infected with poison, since large and small veins and seams <lb/>in the rocks exhale some subtle poison from the minerals, which is driven <lb/>out by the fire, and this poison itself is raised with the smoke not unlike <lb/><emph type="italics"/>pompholyx,<emph.end type="italics"/><emph type="sup"/>23<emph.end type="sup"/> which clings to the upper part of the walls in the works in which <lb/>ore is smelted. </s> | <s>There is another <lb/>illness even more destructive, which soon brings death to men who work <lb/>in those shafts or levels or tunnels in which the hard rock is broken by fire. <lb/></s> |
| | |
| | <s>Here the air is infected with poison, since large and small veins and seams <lb/>in the rocks exhale some subtle poison from the minerals, which is driven <lb/>out by the fire, and this poison itself is raised with the smoke not unlike <lb/><emph type="italics"/>pompholyx,<emph.end type="italics"/><emph type="sup"/>23<emph.end type="sup"/> which clings to the upper part of the walls in the works in which <lb/>ore is smelted. </s> |
| | |
| <s>If this poison cannot escape from the ground, but falls down <lb/>into the pools and floats on their surface, it often causes danger, for if at any <lb/>time the water is disturbed through a stone or anything else, these fumes rise <lb/>again from the pools and thus overcome the men, by being drawn in with their <lb/>breath; this is even much worse if the fumes of the fire have not yet all <lb/>escaped. </s> | <s>If this poison cannot escape from the ground, but falls down <lb/>into the pools and floats on their surface, it often causes danger, for if at any <lb/>time the water is disturbed through a stone or anything else, these fumes rise <lb/>again from the pools and thus overcome the men, by being drawn in with their <lb/>breath; this is even much worse if the fumes of the fire have not yet all <lb/>escaped. </s> |
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| |
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| <s>Prudent <lb/>and skilled miners burn the piles of wood on Friday, towards evening, and <lb/><pb pagenum="216"/>they do not descend into the shafts nor enter the tunnels again before Monday, <lb/>and in the meantime the poisonous fumes pass away.</s></p><p type="main"> | <s>Prudent <lb/>and skilled miners burn the piles of wood on Friday, towards evening, and <lb/><pb pagenum="216"/>they do not descend into the shafts nor enter the tunnels again before Monday, <lb/>and in the meantime the poisonous fumes pass away.</s></p><p type="main"> |
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| <s>There are also times when a reckoning has to be made with Orcus,<emph type="sup"/>24<emph.end type="sup"/><lb/>for some metalliferous localities, though such are rare, spontaneously <lb/>produce poison and exhale pestilential vapour, as is also the case with some <lb/>openings in the ore, though these more often contain the noxious fumes. <lb/>In the towns of the plains of Bohemia there are some caverns which, <lb/>at certain seasons of the year, emit pungent vapours which put out lights <lb/>and kill the miners if they linger too long in them. </s> | <s>There are also times when a reckoning has to be made with Orcus,<emph type="sup"/>24<emph.end type="sup"/><lb/>for some metalliferous localities, though such are rare, spontaneously <lb/>produce poison and exhale pestilential vapour, as is also the case with some <lb/>openings in the ore, though these more often contain the noxious fumes. <lb/></s> |
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| | <s>In the towns of the plains of Bohemia there are some caverns which, <lb/>at certain seasons of the year, emit pungent vapours which put out lights <lb/>and kill the miners if they linger too long in them. </s> |
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| <s>Pliny, too, has left <lb/>a record that when wells are sunk, the sulphurous or aluminous vapours <lb/>which arise kill the well-diggers, and it is a test of this danger if a burning <lb/>lamp which has been let down is extinguished. </s> | <s>Pliny, too, has left <lb/>a record that when wells are sunk, the sulphurous or aluminous vapours <lb/>which arise kill the well-diggers, and it is a test of this danger if a burning <lb/>lamp which has been let down is extinguished. </s> |
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| |
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| <s>The men, too, must be careful that, even if none of these things <lb/>happen, they do not fall through their own carelessness.</s></p><p type="main"> | <s>The men, too, must be careful that, even if none of these things <lb/>happen, they do not fall through their own carelessness.</s></p><p type="main"> |
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| <s>Mountains, too, slide down and men are crushed in their fall and perish. <lb/>In fact, when in olden days Rammelsberg, in Goslar, sank down, so many <lb/>men were crushed in the ruins that in one day, the records tell us, about <lb/>400 women were robbed of their husbands. </s> | <s>Mountains, too, slide down and men are crushed in their fall and perish. <lb/></s> |
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| | <s>In fact, when in olden days Rammelsberg, in Goslar, sank down, so many <lb/>men were crushed in the ruins that in one day, the records tell us, about <lb/>400 women were robbed of their husbands. </s> |
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| <s>And eleven years ago, part <lb/>of the mountain of Altenberg, which had been excavated, became loose and <lb/>sank, and suddenly crushed six miners; it also swallowed up a hut and one <lb/>mother and her little boy. </s> | <s>And eleven years ago, part <lb/>of the mountain of Altenberg, which had been excavated, became loose and <lb/>sank, and suddenly crushed six miners; it also swallowed up a hut and one <lb/>mother and her little boy. </s> |
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| <s>But this generally occurs in those mountains <lb/>which contain <emph type="italics"/>venae cumulatae.<emph.end type="italics"/> Therefore, miners should leave numerous <lb/>arches under the mountains which need support, or provide underpinning. <lb/>Falling pieces of rock also injure their limbs, and to prevent this from hap­<lb/>pening, miners should protect the shafts, tunnels, and drifts.</s></p><p type="main"> | <s>But this generally occurs in those mountains <lb/>which contain <emph type="italics"/>venae cumulatae.<emph.end type="italics"/> Therefore, miners should leave numerous <lb/>arches under the mountains which need support, or provide underpinning. <lb/></s> |
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| | <s>Falling pieces of rock also injure their limbs, and to prevent this from hap­<lb/>pening, miners should protect the shafts, tunnels, and drifts.</s></p><p type="main"> |
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| <s>The venomous ant which exists in Sardinia is not found in our mines. <lb/>This animal is, as Solinus<emph type="sup"/>25<emph.end type="sup"/> writes, very small and like a spider in shape; it <lb/>is called <emph type="italics"/>solífuga,<emph.end type="italics"/> because it shuns (<emph type="italics"/>fugít<emph.end type="italics"/>) the light (<emph type="italics"/>solem<emph.end type="italics"/>). It is very common <lb/><pb pagenum="217"/>in silver mines; it creeps unobserved and brings destruction upon those <lb/>who imprudently sit on it. </s> | <s>The venomous ant which exists in Sardinia is not found in our mines. <lb/></s> |
| | |
| | <s>This animal is, as Solinus<emph type="sup"/>25<emph.end type="sup"/> writes, very small and like a spider in shape; it <lb/>is called <emph type="italics"/>solífuga,<emph.end type="italics"/> because it shuns (<emph type="italics"/>fugít<emph.end type="italics"/>) the light (<emph type="italics"/>solem<emph.end type="italics"/>). It is very common <lb/><pb pagenum="217"/>in silver mines; it creeps unobserved and brings destruction upon those <lb/>who imprudently sit on it. </s> |
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| <s>But, as the same writer tells us, springs of warm <lb/>and salubrious waters gush out in certain places, which neutralise the venom <lb/>inserted by the ants.</s></p><p type="main"> | <s>But, as the same writer tells us, springs of warm <lb/>and salubrious waters gush out in certain places, which neutralise the venom <lb/>inserted by the ants.</s></p><p type="main"> |
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| |
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| <s>The seventh <lb/>cause is military operations. </s> | <s>The seventh <lb/>cause is military operations. </s> |
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| <s>Shafts and tunnels should not be re-opened <lb/>unless we are quite certain of the reasons why the miners have deserted them, <lb/>because we ought not to believe that our ancestors were so indolent and <lb/>spiritless as to desert mines which could have been carried on with profit. <lb/>Indeed, in our own days, not a few miners, persuaded by old women's tales, <lb/>have re-opened deserted shafts and lost their time and trouble. </s> | <s>Shafts and tunnels should not be re-opened <lb/>unless we are quite certain of the reasons why the miners have deserted them, <lb/>because we ought not to believe that our ancestors were so indolent and <lb/>spiritless as to desert mines which could have been carried on with profit. <lb/></s> |
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| | <s>Indeed, in our own days, not a few miners, persuaded by old women's tales, <lb/>have re-opened deserted shafts and lost their time and trouble. </s> |
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| <s>Therefore, <lb/>to prevent future generations from being led to act in such a way, it is <lb/>advisable to set down in writing the reason why the digging of each shaft or <lb/>tunnel has been abandoned, just as it is agreed was once done at Freiberg, <lb/>when the shafts were deserted on account of the great inrush of water.</s></p><p type="head"> | <s>Therefore, <lb/>to prevent future generations from being led to act in such a way, it is <lb/>advisable to set down in writing the reason why the digging of each shaft or <lb/>tunnel has been abandoned, just as it is agreed was once done at Freiberg, <lb/>when the shafts were deserted on account of the great inrush of water.</s></p><p type="head"> |
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| |
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| <s>Since the Sixth Book has described the iron tools, <lb/>the vessels and the machines used in mines, this <lb/>Book will describe the methods of assaying<emph type="sup"/>1<emph.end type="sup"/> ores; <lb/>because it is desirable to first test them in order <lb/>that the material mined may be advantageously <lb/>smelted, or that the dross may be purged away and <lb/>the metal made pure. </s> | <s>Since the Sixth Book has described the iron tools, <lb/>the vessels and the machines used in mines, this <lb/>Book will describe the methods of assaying<emph type="sup"/>1<emph.end type="sup"/> ores; <lb/>because it is desirable to first test them in order <lb/>that the material mined may be advantageously <lb/>smelted, or that the dross may be purged away and <lb/>the metal made pure. </s> |
| | |
| <s>Although writers have men­<lb/>tioned such tests, yet none of them have set down the <lb/>directions for performing them, wherefore it is no <lb/>wonder that those who come later have written nothing on the subject. <lb/>By tests of this kind miners can determine with certainty whether <lb/>ores contain any metal in them or not; or if it has already been <lb/>indicated that the ore contains one or more metals, the tests show whether <lb/>it is much or little; the miners also ascertain by such tests the method by <lb/>which the metal can be separated from that part of the ore devoid of it; <lb/>and further, by these tests, they determine that part in which there is much <lb/>metal from that part in which there is little. </s> | <s>Although writers have men­<lb/>tioned such tests, yet none of them have set down the <lb/>directions for performing them, wherefore it is no <lb/>wonder that those who come later have written nothing on the subject. <lb/></s> |
| | |
| | <s>By tests of this kind miners can determine with certainty whether <lb/>ores contain any metal in them or not; or if it has already been <lb/>indicated that the ore contains one or more metals, the tests show whether <lb/>it is much or little; the miners also ascertain by such tests the method by <lb/>which the metal can be separated from that part of the ore devoid of it; <lb/>and further, by these tests, they determine that part in which there is much <lb/>metal from that part in which there is little. </s> |
| | |
| <s>Unless these tests have been <lb/>carefully applied before the metals are melted out, the ore cannot be smelted <lb/>without great loss to the owners, for the parts which do not easily melt in the <lb/>fire carry the metals off with them or consume them. </s> | <s>Unless these tests have been <lb/>carefully applied before the metals are melted out, the ore cannot be smelted <lb/>without great loss to the owners, for the parts which do not easily melt in the <lb/>fire carry the metals off with them or consume them. </s> |
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| |
| | |
| <s>Now I will describe the different things which are necessary in assaying, <lb/>beginning with the assay furnace, of which one differs from another in <lb/>shape, material, and the place in which it is set. </s> | <s>Now I will describe the different things which are necessary in assaying, <lb/>beginning with the assay furnace, of which one differs from another in <lb/>shape, material, and the place in which it is set. </s> |
| | |
| <s>In shape, they may be <lb/>round or rectangular, the latter shape being more suited to assaying ores. <lb/>The materials of the assay furnaces differ, in that one is made of bricks, <lb/>another of iron, and certain ones of clay. </s> | <s>In shape, they may be <lb/>round or rectangular, the latter shape being more suited to assaying ores. <lb/></s> |
| | |
| | <s>The materials of the assay furnaces differ, in that one is made of bricks, <lb/>another of iron, and certain ones of clay. </s> |
| | |
| <s>The one of bricks is built on a <lb/>chimney-hearth which is three and a half feet high; the iron one is placed <lb/>in the same position, and also the one of clay. </s> | <s>The one of bricks is built on a <lb/>chimney-hearth which is three and a half feet high; the iron one is placed <lb/>in the same position, and also the one of clay. </s> |
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| |
| | |
| <s>The part of the <lb/>iron plate which projects from the furnace is generally three-quarters of a <lb/><pb pagenum="225"/>palm long and a palm wide; small pieces of charcoal, after being laid thereon, <lb/>can be placed quickly in the furnace through its mouth with a pair of tongs, <lb/>or again, if necessary, can be taken out of the furnace and laid there.</s></p><p type="main"> | <s>The part of the <lb/>iron plate which projects from the furnace is generally three-quarters of a <lb/><pb pagenum="225"/>palm long and a palm wide; small pieces of charcoal, after being laid thereon, <lb/>can be placed quickly in the furnace through its mouth with a pair of tongs, <lb/>or again, if necessary, can be taken out of the furnace and laid there.</s></p><p type="main"> |
| | |
| <s>The iron assay furnace is made of four iron bars a foot and a half high, <lb/>which at the bottom are bent outward and broadened a short distance to enable <lb/>them to stand more firmly; the front part of the furnace is made from two <lb/>of these bars, and the back part from two of them; to these bars on both <lb/>sides are joined and welded three iron cross-bars, the first at a height of a palm <lb/>from the bottom, the second at a height of a foot, and the third at the top. <lb/>The upright bars are perforated at that point where the side cross-bars are <lb/>joined to them, in order that three similar iron bars on the remaining sides <lb/>can be engaged in them; thus there are twelve cross-bars, which make <lb/>three stages at unequal intervals. </s> | <s>The iron assay furnace is made of four iron bars a foot and a half high, <lb/>which at the bottom are bent outward and broadened a short distance to enable <lb/>them to stand more firmly; the front part of the furnace is made from two <lb/>of these bars, and the back part from two of them; to these bars on both <lb/>sides are joined and welded three iron cross-bars, the first at a height of a palm <lb/>from the bottom, the second at a height of a foot, and the third at the top. <lb/></s> |
| | |
| | <s>The upright bars are perforated at that point where the side cross-bars are <lb/>joined to them, in order that three similar iron bars on the remaining sides <lb/>can be engaged in them; thus there are twelve cross-bars, which make <lb/>three stages at unequal intervals. </s> |
| | |
| <s>At the lower stage, the upright bars are <lb/>distant from each other one foot and five digits; and at the middle stage the <lb/>front is distant from the back three palms and one digit, and the sides are <lb/>distant from each other three palms and as many digits; at the highest stage <lb/>from the front to the back there is a distance of two palms, and between the <lb/>sides three palms, so that in this way the furnace becomes narrower at the <lb/>top. </s> | <s>At the lower stage, the upright bars are <lb/>distant from each other one foot and five digits; and at the middle stage the <lb/>front is distant from the back three palms and one digit, and the sides are <lb/>distant from each other three palms and as many digits; at the highest stage <lb/>from the front to the back there is a distance of two palms, and between the <lb/>sides three palms, so that in this way the furnace becomes narrower at the <lb/>top. </s> |
| | |
| |
| | |
| <s>The setting of one furnace differs from another, in that some are placed <lb/>higher and others lower; that one is placed higher, in which the man who is <lb/>assaying the ore or metals introduces the scorifier through the mouth with the <lb/>tongs; that one is placed lower, into which he introduces the crucible <lb/>through its open top.</s></p><p type="main"> | <s>The setting of one furnace differs from another, in that some are placed <lb/>higher and others lower; that one is placed higher, in which the man who is <lb/>assaying the ore or metals introduces the scorifier through the mouth with the <lb/>tongs; that one is placed lower, into which he introduces the crucible <lb/>through its open top.</s></p><p type="main"> |
| | |
| <s>In some cases the assayer uses an iron hoop<emph type="sup"/>4<emph.end type="sup"/> in place of a furnace; <lb/>this is placed upon the hearth of a chimney, the lower edge being daubed <lb/>with lute to prevent the blast of the bellows from escaping under it. <lb/>If the blast is given slowly, the ore will be smelted and the copper will melt in <lb/>the triangular crucible, which is placed in it and taken away again with the <lb/>tongs. </s> | <s>In some cases the assayer uses an iron hoop<emph type="sup"/>4<emph.end type="sup"/> in place of a furnace; <lb/>this is placed upon the hearth of a chimney, the lower edge being daubed <lb/>with lute to prevent the blast of the bellows from escaping under it. <lb/></s> |
| | |
| | <s>If the blast is given slowly, the ore will be smelted and the copper will melt in <lb/>the triangular crucible, which is placed in it and taken away again with the <lb/>tongs. </s> |
| | |
| <s>The hoop is two palms high and half a digit thick; its diameter is <lb/>generally one foot and one palm, and where the blast from the bellows enters <lb/>into it, it is notched out. </s> | <s>The hoop is two palms high and half a digit thick; its diameter is <lb/>generally one foot and one palm, and where the blast from the bellows enters <lb/>into it, it is notched out. </s> |
| | |
| |
| | |
| <s>Some are triangular and much <lb/>thicker and more capacious, holding five, or six, or even more <emph type="italics"/>uncíae;<emph.end type="italics"/> in <lb/>these copper is melted, so that it can be poured out, expanded, and tested <lb/>with fire, and in these copper ore is usually melted.</s></p><p type="main"> | <s>Some are triangular and much <lb/>thicker and more capacious, holding five, or six, or even more <emph type="italics"/>uncíae;<emph.end type="italics"/> in <lb/>these copper is melted, so that it can be poured out, expanded, and tested <lb/>with fire, and in these copper ore is usually melted.</s></p><p type="main"> |
| | |
| <s>The cupels are made of ashes; like the preceding scorifiers they are <lb/>tray-shaped, and their lower part is very thick but their capacity is less. <lb/>In these lead is separated from silver, and by them assays are concluded. <lb/>Inasmuch as the assayers themselves make the cupels, something must <lb/>be said about the material from which they are made, and the method <lb/>of making them. </s> | <s>The cupels are made of ashes; like the preceding scorifiers they are <lb/>tray-shaped, and their lower part is very thick but their capacity is less. <lb/></s> |
| | |
| | <s>In these lead is separated from silver, and by them assays are concluded. <lb/></s> |
| | |
| | <s>Inasmuch as the assayers themselves make the cupels, something must <lb/>be said about the material from which they are made, and the method <lb/>of making them. </s> |
| | |
| <s>Some make them out of all kinds of ordinary ashes; these <lb/>are not good, because ashes of this kind contain a certain amount of fat, <lb/>whereby such cupels are easily broken when they are hot. </s> | <s>Some make them out of all kinds of ordinary ashes; these <lb/>are not good, because ashes of this kind contain a certain amount of fat, <lb/>whereby such cupels are easily broken when they are hot. </s> |
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| |
| | |
| <s>These ashes, after being dried in the sun or <lb/>a furnace, are sifted in a hair sieve; and although warm water washes away the </s></p><pb pagenum="229"/><figure></figure><p type="caption"> | <s>These ashes, after being dried in the sun or <lb/>a furnace, are sifted in a hair sieve; and although warm water washes away the </s></p><pb pagenum="229"/><figure></figure><p type="caption"> |
| | |
| <s>A—SCORIFIER. B—TRIANGULAR CRUCIBLE. C—CUPEL.<lb/>fat from the ashes, still the cupels which are made from such ashes are not <lb/>very good because they often contain charcoal dust, sand, and pebbles. <lb/>Some make them in the same way out of any kind of ashes, but first of all <lb/>pour water into the ashes and remove the scum which floats thereon; then, <lb/>after it has become clear, they pour away the water, and dry the ashes; they <lb/>then sift them and make the cupels from them. </s> | <s>A—SCORIFIER. B—TRIANGULAR CRUCIBLE. C—CUPEL.<lb/>fat from the ashes, still the cupels which are made from such ashes are not <lb/>very good because they often contain charcoal dust, sand, and pebbles. <lb/></s> |
| | |
| | <s>Some make them in the same way out of any kind of ashes, but first of all <lb/>pour water into the ashes and remove the scum which floats thereon; then, <lb/>after it has become clear, they pour away the water, and dry the ashes; they <lb/>then sift them and make the cupels from them. </s> |
| | |
| <s>These, indeed, are good, <lb/>but not of the best quality, because ashes of this kind are also not devoid of <lb/>small pebbles and sand. </s> | <s>These, indeed, are good, <lb/>but not of the best quality, because ashes of this kind are also not devoid of <lb/>small pebbles and sand. </s> |
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| |
| | |
| <s>In this way the small stones and fine sand, or <lb/>any other heavy substance which may be there, remain in the first vessel, <lb/>and should be thrown away. </s> | <s>In this way the small stones and fine sand, or <lb/>any other heavy substance which may be there, remain in the first vessel, <lb/>and should be thrown away. </s> |
| | |
| <s>When all the ashes have settled in this second <lb/>vessel, which will be shown if the water has become clear and does not taste <lb/>of the flavour of lye, the water should be thrown away, and the ashes <lb/>which have settled in the vessel should be dried in the sun or in a furnace. <lb/>This material is suitable for the cupels, especially if it is the ash of beech <lb/>wood or other wood which has a small annual growth; those ashes made <lb/>from twigs and limbs of vines, which have rapid annual growth, are not so <pb pagenum="230"/>good, for the cupels made from them, since they are not sufficiently dry, <lb/>frequently crack and break in the fire and absorb the metals. </s> | <s>When all the ashes have settled in this second <lb/>vessel, which will be shown if the water has become clear and does not taste <lb/>of the flavour of lye, the water should be thrown away, and the ashes <lb/>which have settled in the vessel should be dried in the sun or in a furnace. <lb/></s> |
| | |
| | <s>This material is suitable for the cupels, especially if it is the ash of beech <lb/>wood or other wood which has a small annual growth; those ashes made <lb/>from twigs and limbs of vines, which have rapid annual growth, are not so <pb pagenum="230"/>good, for the cupels made from them, since they are not sufficiently dry, <lb/>frequently crack and break in the fire and absorb the metals. </s> |
| | |
| <s>If ashes of <lb/>beech or similar wood are not to be had, the assayer makes little balls of such <lb/>ashes as he can get, after they have been cleared of impurities in the manner <lb/>before described, and puts them in a baker's or potter's oven to burn, and from <lb/>these the cupels are made, because the fire consumes whatever fat or damp <lb/>there may be. </s> | <s>If ashes of <lb/>beech or similar wood are not to be had, the assayer makes little balls of such <lb/>ashes as he can get, after they have been cleared of impurities in the manner <lb/>before described, and puts them in a baker's or potter's oven to burn, and from <lb/>these the cupels are made, because the fire consumes whatever fat or damp <lb/>there may be. </s> |
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| |
| | |
| <s>These ashes, after being prepared in the <lb/>manner just described, are first of all sprinkled with beer or water, to make <lb/>them stick together, and are then ground in a small mortar. </s> | <s>These ashes, after being prepared in the <lb/>manner just described, are first of all sprinkled with beer or water, to make <lb/>them stick together, and are then ground in a small mortar. </s> |
| | |
| <s>They are ground <lb/>again after being mixed with the ashes obtained from the skulls of beasts or from <lb/>the spines of fishes; the more the ashes are ground the better they are. <lb/>Some rub bricks and sprinkle the dust so obtained, after sifting it, into the <lb/>beech ashes, for dust of this kind does not allow the hearth-lead to absorb <lb/>the gold or silver by eating away the cupels. </s> | <s>They are ground <lb/>again after being mixed with the ashes obtained from the skulls of beasts or from <lb/>the spines of fishes; the more the ashes are ground the better they are. <lb/></s> |
| | |
| | <s>Some rub bricks and sprinkle the dust so obtained, after sifting it, into the <lb/>beech ashes, for dust of this kind does not allow the hearth-lead to absorb <lb/>the gold or silver by eating away the cupels. </s> |
| | |
| <s>Others, to guard against the <lb/>same thing, moisten the cupels with white of egg after they have been made, <lb/>and when they have been dried in the sun, again crush them; especially if they <lb/>want to assay in it an ore or copper which contains iron. </s> | <s>Others, to guard against the <lb/>same thing, moisten the cupels with white of egg after they have been made, <lb/>and when they have been dried in the sun, again crush them; especially if they <lb/>want to assay in it an ore or copper which contains iron. </s> |
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| |
| | |
| <s>As to these crucibles, <pb pagenum="231"/>the older they are, the dryer and better they are. </s> | <s>As to these crucibles, <pb pagenum="231"/>the older they are, the dryer and better they are. </s> |
| | |
| <s>The moulds in which the <lb/>cupels are moulded are of two kinds, that is, a smaller size and a larger size. <lb/>In the smaller ones are made the cupels in which silver or gold is purged <lb/>from the lead which has absorbed it; in the larger ones are made cupels in <lb/>which silver is separated from copper and lead. </s> | <s>The moulds in which the <lb/>cupels are moulded are of two kinds, that is, a smaller size and a larger size. <lb/></s> |
| | |
| | <s>In the smaller ones are made the cupels in which silver or gold is purged <lb/>from the lead which has absorbed it; in the larger ones are made cupels in <lb/>which silver is separated from copper and lead. </s> |
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| <s>Both moulds are made out <lb/>of brass and have no bottom, in order that the cupels can be taken out of <lb/>them whole. </s> | <s>Both moulds are made out <lb/>of brass and have no bottom, in order that the cupels can be taken out of <lb/>them whole. </s> |
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| |
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| <s>To the third order belong pyrites, the cakes which are melted <lb/>from them, soda, its slags, salt, iron, iron scales, iron filings, iron slags, vitriol, <lb/>the sand which is resolved from stones which easily melt in the fire, and <lb/><emph type="italics"/>tophus;<emph.end type="italics"/> but first of all are pyrites and the cakes which are melted from it, for <lb/>they absorb the metals of the ore and guard them from the fire which con­<lb/>sumes them. </s> | <s>To the third order belong pyrites, the cakes which are melted <lb/>from them, soda, its slags, salt, iron, iron scales, iron filings, iron slags, vitriol, <lb/>the sand which is resolved from stones which easily melt in the fire, and <lb/><emph type="italics"/>tophus;<emph.end type="italics"/> but first of all are pyrites and the cakes which are melted from it, for <lb/>they absorb the metals of the ore and guard them from the fire which con­<lb/>sumes them. </s> |
| | |
| <s>To the fourth order belong lead and copper, and their relations. <lb/>And so with regard to fluxes, it is manifest that some are natural, others <lb/>fall in the category of slags, and the rest are purged from slag. </s> | <s>To the fourth order belong lead and copper, and their relations. <lb/></s> |
| | |
| | <s>And so with regard to fluxes, it is manifest that some are natural, others <lb/>fall in the category of slags, and the rest are purged from slag. </s> |
| | |
| <s>When we <lb/><lb/><pb pagenum="235"/>assay ores, we can without great expense add to them a small portion of any <lb/>sort of flux, but when we smelt them we cannot add a large portion without <lb/>great expense. </s> | <s>When we <lb/><lb/><pb pagenum="235"/>assay ores, we can without great expense add to them a small portion of any <lb/>sort of flux, but when we smelt them we cannot add a large portion without <lb/>great expense. </s> |
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| |
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| <s>The colour of the fumes which the ore emits after being placed on a hot <lb/>shovel or an iron plate, indicates what flux is needed in addition to the lead, <lb/>for the purpose of either assaying or smelting. </s> | <s>The colour of the fumes which the ore emits after being placed on a hot <lb/>shovel or an iron plate, indicates what flux is needed in addition to the lead, <lb/>for the purpose of either assaying or smelting. </s> |
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| <s>If the fumes have a purple <lb/>tint, it is best of all, and the ore does not generally require any flux whatever. <lb/>If the fumes are blue, there should be added cakes melted out of pyrites or <lb/>other cupriferous rock; if yellow, litharge and sulphur should be added; if <lb/>red, glass-galls<emph type="sup"/>17<emph.end type="sup"/> and salt; if green, then cakes melted from cupriferous stones, <lb/>litharge, and glass-galls; if the fumes are black, melted salt or iron slag, <lb/>litharge and white lime rock. </s> | <s>If the fumes have a purple <lb/>tint, it is best of all, and the ore does not generally require any flux whatever. <lb/></s> |
| | |
| | <s>If the fumes are blue, there should be added cakes melted out of pyrites or <lb/>other cupriferous rock; if yellow, litharge and sulphur should be added; if <lb/>red, glass-galls<emph type="sup"/>17<emph.end type="sup"/> and salt; if green, then cakes melted from cupriferous stones, <lb/>litharge, and glass-galls; if the fumes are black, melted salt or iron slag, <lb/>litharge and white lime rock. </s> |
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| <s>If they are white, sulphur and iron which is <lb/>eaten with rust; if they are white with green patches, iron slag and <lb/>sand obtained from stones which easily melt; if the middle part of the <lb/>fumes are yellow and thick, but the outer parts green, the same sand and <lb/>iron slag. </s> | <s>If they are white, sulphur and iron which is <lb/>eaten with rust; if they are white with green patches, iron slag and <lb/>sand obtained from stones which easily melt; if the middle part of the <lb/>fumes are yellow and thick, but the outer parts green, the same sand and <lb/>iron slag. </s> |
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| <s>The colour of the fumes not only gives us information as to the <lb/>proper remedies which should be applied to each ore, but also more or less <lb/>indication as to the solidified juices which are mixed with it, and which give <lb/>forth such fumes. </s> | <s>The colour of the fumes not only gives us information as to the <lb/>proper remedies which should be applied to each ore, but also more or less <lb/>indication as to the solidified juices which are mixed with it, and which give <lb/>forth such fumes. </s> |
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| <s>Generally, blue fumes signify that the ore contains azure; <lb/>yellow, orpiment; red, realgar; green, chrysocolla; black, black bitumen; <lb/>white, tin<emph type="sup"/>18<emph.end type="sup"/>; white with green patches, the same mixed with chrysocolla; <lb/>the middle part yellow and other parts green show that it contains sulphur. <lb/>Earth, however, and other things dug up which contain metals, some­<lb/>times emit similarly coloured fumes.</s></p><p type="main"> | <s>Generally, blue fumes signify that the ore contains azure; <lb/>yellow, orpiment; red, realgar; green, chrysocolla; black, black bitumen; <lb/>white, tin<emph type="sup"/>18<emph.end type="sup"/>; white with green patches, the same mixed with chrysocolla; <lb/>the middle part yellow and other parts green show that it contains sulphur. <lb/></s> |
| | |
| | <s>Earth, however, and other things dug up which contain metals, some­<lb/>times emit similarly coloured fumes.</s></p><p type="main"> |
| | |
| <s>If the ore contains any <emph type="italics"/>stíbíum,<emph.end type="italics"/> then iron slag is added to it; if pyrites, <lb/>then are added cakes melted from a cupriferous stone and sand made from <lb/>stones which easily melt. </s> | <s>If the ore contains any <emph type="italics"/>stíbíum,<emph.end type="italics"/> then iron slag is added to it; if pyrites, <lb/>then are added cakes melted from a cupriferous stone and sand made from <lb/>stones which easily melt. </s> |
| | |
| <s>If the ore contains iron, then pyrites and sulphur <lb/>are added; for just as iron slag is the flux for an ore mixed with sulphur, so <lb/>on the contrary, to a gold or silver ore containing iron, from which they are <lb/><pb pagenum="236"/>not easily separated, is added sulphur and sand made from stones which <lb/>easily melt.</s></p><p type="main"> | <s>If the ore contains iron, then pyrites and sulphur <lb/>are added; for just as iron slag is the flux for an ore mixed with sulphur, so <lb/>on the contrary, to a gold or silver ore containing iron, from which they are <lb/><pb pagenum="236"/>not easily separated, is added sulphur and sand made from stones which <lb/>easily melt.</s></p><p type="main"> |
| | |
| <s><emph type="italics"/>Sal artíficíosus<emph.end type="italics"/><emph type="sup"/>19<emph.end type="sup"/> suitable for use in assaying ore is made in many ways. <lb/>By the first method, equal portions of argol, lees of vinegar, and urine, <lb/>are all boiled down together till turned into salt. </s> | <s><emph type="italics"/>Sal artíficíosus<emph.end type="italics"/><emph type="sup"/>19<emph.end type="sup"/> suitable for use in assaying ore is made in many ways. <lb/></s> |
| | |
| | <s>By the first method, equal portions of argol, lees of vinegar, and urine, <lb/>are all boiled down together till turned into salt. </s> |
| | |
| <s>The second method is from <lb/>equal portions of the ashes which wool-dyers use, of lime. </s> | <s>The second method is from <lb/>equal portions of the ashes which wool-dyers use, of lime. </s> |
| | |
| |
| | |
| <s>Of these, one is made <lb/>from stones of the third order, which easily melt when thrown into hot <lb/>furnaces. </s> | <s>Of these, one is made <lb/>from stones of the third order, which easily melt when thrown into hot <lb/>furnaces. </s> |
| | |
| <s>They are crushed into pure white powder, and with half an <emph type="italics"/>uncia<emph.end type="italics"/><lb/><lb/><pb pagenum="237"/>of this powder there are mixed two <emph type="italics"/>unciae<emph.end type="italics"/> of yellow litharge, likewise crushed. <lb/>This mixture is put into a scorifier large enough to hold it, and placed under <lb/>the muffle of a hot furnace; when the charge flows like water, which occurs <lb/>after half an hour, it is taken out of the furnace and poured on to a stone, <lb/>and when it has hardened it has the appearance of glass, and this is likewise <lb/>crushed. </s> | <s>They are crushed into pure white powder, and with half an <emph type="italics"/>uncia<emph.end type="italics"/><lb/><lb/><pb pagenum="237"/>of this powder there are mixed two <emph type="italics"/>unciae<emph.end type="italics"/> of yellow litharge, likewise crushed. <lb/></s> |
| | |
| | <s>This mixture is put into a scorifier large enough to hold it, and placed under <lb/>the muffle of a hot furnace; when the charge flows like water, which occurs <lb/>after half an hour, it is taken out of the furnace and poured on to a stone, <lb/>and when it has hardened it has the appearance of glass, and this is likewise <lb/>crushed. </s> |
| | |
| <s>This powder is sprinkled over any metalliferous ore which does <lb/>not easily melt when we are assaying it, and it causes the slag to exude.</s></p><p type="main"> | <s>This powder is sprinkled over any metalliferous ore which does <lb/>not easily melt when we are assaying it, and it causes the slag to exude.</s></p><p type="main"> |
| | |
| |
| | |
| <s>One <emph type="italics"/>líbra<emph.end type="italics"/> of crushed saltpetre is mixed <lb/>with one <emph type="italics"/>libra<emph.end type="italics"/> of orpiment similarly ground to powder, and the two are cooked <lb/>in an iron pan until they liquefy; they are then poured out, and after cool­<lb/>ing are again ground to powder. </s> | <s>One <emph type="italics"/>líbra<emph.end type="italics"/> of crushed saltpetre is mixed <lb/>with one <emph type="italics"/>libra<emph.end type="italics"/> of orpiment similarly ground to powder, and the two are cooked <lb/>in an iron pan until they liquefy; they are then poured out, and after cool­<lb/>ing are again ground to powder. </s> |
| | |
| <s>A <emph type="italics"/>líbra<emph.end type="italics"/> of <emph type="italics"/>stíbíum<emph.end type="italics"/> and a <emph type="italics"/>bes<emph.end type="italics"/> of the <lb/>dried lees (<emph type="italics"/>of what?<emph.end type="italics"/>) are placed alternately in a crucible and heated to the <lb/>point at which they form a button, which is similarly reduced to powder. <lb/>A <emph type="italics"/>bes<emph.end type="italics"/> of this powder and one <emph type="italics"/>líbra<emph.end type="italics"/> of the ashes of lead, as well as a <emph type="italics"/>líbra<emph.end type="italics"/> of <lb/>powder made out of the saltpetre and orpiment, are mixed together and a <lb/><pb pagenum="238"/>powder is made from them, one part of which added to two parts of ore <lb/>liquefies it and cleanses it of dross. </s> | <s>A <emph type="italics"/>líbra<emph.end type="italics"/> of <emph type="italics"/>stíbíum<emph.end type="italics"/> and a <emph type="italics"/>bes<emph.end type="italics"/> of the <lb/>dried lees (<emph type="italics"/>of what?<emph.end type="italics"/>) are placed alternately in a crucible and heated to the <lb/>point at which they form a button, which is similarly reduced to powder. <lb/></s> |
| | |
| | <s>A <emph type="italics"/>bes<emph.end type="italics"/> of this powder and one <emph type="italics"/>líbra<emph.end type="italics"/> of the ashes of lead, as well as a <emph type="italics"/>líbra<emph.end type="italics"/> of <lb/>powder made out of the saltpetre and orpiment, are mixed together and a <lb/><pb pagenum="238"/>powder is made from them, one part of which added to two parts of ore <lb/>liquefies it and cleanses it of dross. </s> |
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| <s>But the most powerful flux is one which <lb/>has two <emph type="italics"/>drachmae<emph.end type="italics"/> of sulphur and as much glass-galls, and half an <emph type="italics"/>uncía<emph.end type="italics"/> of each of <lb/>the following,—<emph type="italics"/>stíbíum,<emph.end type="italics"/> salt obtained from boiled urine, melted common salt, <lb/>prepared saltpetre, litharge, vitriol, argol, salt obtained from ashes of musk ivy, <lb/>dried lees of the <emph type="italics"/>aqua<emph.end type="italics"/> by which gold-workers separate gold from silver, <lb/>alum reduced by fire to powder, and one <emph type="italics"/>uncía<emph.end type="italics"/> of camphor<emph type="sup"/>24<emph.end type="sup"/> combined with <lb/>sulphur and ground into powder. </s> | <s>But the most powerful flux is one which <lb/>has two <emph type="italics"/>drachmae<emph.end type="italics"/> of sulphur and as much glass-galls, and half an <emph type="italics"/>uncía<emph.end type="italics"/> of each of <lb/>the following,—<emph type="italics"/>stíbíum,<emph.end type="italics"/> salt obtained from boiled urine, melted common salt, <lb/>prepared saltpetre, litharge, vitriol, argol, salt obtained from ashes of musk ivy, <lb/>dried lees of the <emph type="italics"/>aqua<emph.end type="italics"/> by which gold-workers separate gold from silver, <lb/>alum reduced by fire to powder, and one <emph type="italics"/>uncía<emph.end type="italics"/> of camphor<emph type="sup"/>24<emph.end type="sup"/> combined with <lb/>sulphur and ground into powder. </s> |
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| <s>Or else take one portion of <lb/>ore, one portion of minute lead granules, half a portion of Venetian glass, <lb/>and the same quantity of glass-galls. </s> | <s>Or else take one portion of <lb/>ore, one portion of minute lead granules, half a portion of Venetian glass, <lb/>and the same quantity of glass-galls. </s> |
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| <s>Or else take one portion of ore, one <lb/>portion of lead granules, half a portion of salt, one-fourth of a portion of argol, <lb/>and the same quantity of lees of the <emph type="italics"/>aqua<emph.end type="italics"/> which separates gold from silver. <lb/>Or else take equal portions of prepared ore and a powder in which there <lb/><pb pagenum="239"/>are equal portions of very minute lead granules, melted salt, <emph type="italics"/>stíbíum<emph.end type="italics"/> and <lb/>iron slag Or else take equal portions of gold ore, vitriol, argol, and of salt. <lb/>So much for the fluxes.</s></p><p type="main"> | <s>Or else take one portion of ore, one <lb/>portion of lead granules, half a portion of salt, one-fourth of a portion of argol, <lb/>and the same quantity of lees of the <emph type="italics"/>aqua<emph.end type="italics"/> which separates gold from silver. <lb/></s> |
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| | <s>Or else take equal portions of prepared ore and a powder in which there <lb/><pb pagenum="239"/>are equal portions of very minute lead granules, melted salt, <emph type="italics"/>stíbíum<emph.end type="italics"/> and <lb/>iron slag Or else take equal portions of gold ore, vitriol, argol, and of salt. <lb/></s> |
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| | <s>So much for the fluxes.</s></p><p type="main"> |
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| <s>In the assay furnace, when it has been prepared in the way in which I <lb/>have described, is first placed a muffle. </s> | <s>In the assay furnace, when it has been prepared in the way in which I <lb/>have described, is first placed a muffle. </s> |
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| <s>Unless the <lb/>cupels are heated before the metal mixed with lead is placed in them, they </s></p><figure></figure><p type="caption"> | <s>Unless the <lb/>cupels are heated before the metal mixed with lead is placed in them, they </s></p><figure></figure><p type="caption"> |
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| <s>A—CLAWS OF THE TONGS. B—IRON, GIVING FORM OF AN EGG. C—OPENING.<lb/>frequently break, and the lead always sputters and sometimes leaps out of them; <lb/>if the cupel is broken or the lead leaps out of it, it is necessary to assay <lb/>another portion of ore; but if the lead only sputters, then the cupels should <lb/>be covered with broad thin pieces of glowing charcoal, and when the lead <lb/>strikes these, it falls back again, and thus the mixture is slowly exhaled. <lb/>Further, if in the cupellation the lead which is in the mixture is not con­<lb/>sumed, but remains fixed and set, and is covered by a kind of skin, this is a <lb/>sign that it has not been heated by a sufficiently hot fire; put into the <lb/>mixture, therefore, a dry pine stick, or a twig of a similar tree, and hold it <lb/>in the hand in order that it can be drawn away when it has been heated. <lb/>Then take care that the heat is sufficient and equal; if the heat has not <lb/>passed all round the charge, as it should when everything is done rightly, <lb/>but causes it to have a lengthened shape, so that it appears to have a tail, <lb/>this is a sign that the heat is deficient where the tail lies. </s> | <s>A—CLAWS OF THE TONGS. B—IRON, GIVING FORM OF AN EGG. C—OPENING.<lb/>frequently break, and the lead always sputters and sometimes leaps out of them; <lb/>if the cupel is broken or the lead leaps out of it, it is necessary to assay <lb/>another portion of ore; but if the lead only sputters, then the cupels should <lb/>be covered with broad thin pieces of glowing charcoal, and when the lead <lb/>strikes these, it falls back again, and thus the mixture is slowly exhaled. <lb/></s> |
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| | <s>Further, if in the cupellation the lead which is in the mixture is not con­<lb/>sumed, but remains fixed and set, and is covered by a kind of skin, this is a <lb/>sign that it has not been heated by a sufficiently hot fire; put into the <lb/>mixture, therefore, a dry pine stick, or a twig of a similar tree, and hold it <lb/>in the hand in order that it can be drawn away when it has been heated. <lb/></s> |
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| | <s>Then take care that the heat is sufficient and equal; if the heat has not <lb/>passed all round the charge, as it should when everything is done rightly, <lb/>but causes it to have a lengthened shape, so that it appears to have a tail, <lb/>this is a sign that the heat is deficient where the tail lies. </s> |
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| <s>Then in order <lb/>that the cupel may be equally heated by the fire, turn it around with a small <lb/>iron hook, whose handle is likewise made of iron and is a foot and a half long.</s></p><figure></figure><p type="caption"> | <s>Then in order <lb/>that the cupel may be equally heated by the fire, turn it around with a small <lb/>iron hook, whose handle is likewise made of iron and is a foot and a half long.</s></p><figure></figure><p type="caption"> |
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| <s>If the gold ore is seen not to be easily melted in the fire, roast it and <lb/>extinguish it with brine. </s> | <s>If the gold ore is seen not to be easily melted in the fire, roast it and <lb/>extinguish it with brine. </s> |
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| <s>Do this again and again, for the more often you <lb/>roast it and extinguish it, the more easily the ore can be crushed fine, and the <lb/>more quickly does it melt in the fire and give up whatever dross it possesses. <pb pagenum="243"/>Mix one part of this ore, when it has been roasted, crushed, and washed, with <lb/>three parts of some powder compound which melts ore, and six parts of lead. <lb/>Put the charge into the triangular crucible, place it in the iron hoop to which <lb/>the double bellows reaches, and heat first in a slow fire, and afterward <lb/>gradually in a fiercer fire, till it melts and flows like water. </s> | <s>Do this again and again, for the more often you <lb/>roast it and extinguish it, the more easily the ore can be crushed fine, and the <lb/>more quickly does it melt in the fire and give up whatever dross it possesses. <pb pagenum="243"/>Mix one part of this ore, when it has been roasted, crushed, and washed, with <lb/>three parts of some powder compound which melts ore, and six parts of lead. <lb/></s> |
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| | <s>Put the charge into the triangular crucible, place it in the iron hoop to which <lb/>the double bellows reaches, and heat first in a slow fire, and afterward <lb/>gradually in a fiercer fire, till it melts and flows like water. </s> |
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| <s>If the ore does <lb/>not melt, add to it a little more of these fluxes, mixed with an equal portion <lb/>of yellow litharge, and stir it with a hot iron rod until it all melts. </s> | <s>If the ore does <lb/>not melt, add to it a little more of these fluxes, mixed with an equal portion <lb/>of yellow litharge, and stir it with a hot iron rod until it all melts. </s> |
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| <s>Another method is to put a <emph type="italics"/>centum­<lb/>pondium<emph.end type="italics"/> (of the lesser weights) of gold ore into the triangular crucible, and <lb/>add to it a <emph type="italics"/>drachma<emph.end type="italics"/> (of the larger weights) of glass-galls. </s> | <s>Another method is to put a <emph type="italics"/>centum­<lb/>pondium<emph.end type="italics"/> (of the lesser weights) of gold ore into the triangular crucible, and <lb/>add to it a <emph type="italics"/>drachma<emph.end type="italics"/> (of the larger weights) of glass-galls. </s> |
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| <s>If it resists melting, <lb/>add half a <emph type="italics"/>drachma<emph.end type="italics"/> of roasted argol, and if even then it resists, add the <lb/>same quantity of roasted lees of vinegar, or lees of the <emph type="italics"/>aqua<emph.end type="italics"/> which separates <lb/>gold from silver, and the button will settle in the bottom of the crucible. <lb/>Melt this button again in the scorifier and a third time in the cupel.</s></p><p type="main"> | <s>If it resists melting, <lb/>add half a <emph type="italics"/>drachma<emph.end type="italics"/> of roasted argol, and if even then it resists, add the <lb/>same quantity of roasted lees of vinegar, or lees of the <emph type="italics"/>aqua<emph.end type="italics"/> which separates <lb/>gold from silver, and the button will settle in the bottom of the crucible. <lb/></s> |
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| | <s>Melt this button again in the scorifier and a third time in the cupel.</s></p><p type="main"> |
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| <s>We determine in the following way, before it is melted in the muffle <lb/>furnace, whether pyrites contains gold in it or not: if, after being three times <lb/>roasted and three times quenched in sharp vinegar, it has not broken nor <lb/>changed its colour, there is gold in it. </s> | <s>We determine in the following way, before it is melted in the muffle <lb/>furnace, whether pyrites contains gold in it or not: if, after being three times <lb/>roasted and three times quenched in sharp vinegar, it has not broken nor <lb/>changed its colour, there is gold in it. </s> |
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| <s>Others <lb/>do not wash away the dirt with warm water, but with strong lye and vinegar, <lb/>for they pour these liquids into the pot, and also throw into it the quicksilver <lb/>mixed with the concentrates made by washing. </s> | <s>Others <lb/>do not wash away the dirt with warm water, but with strong lye and vinegar, <lb/>for they pour these liquids into the pot, and also throw into it the quicksilver <lb/>mixed with the concentrates made by washing. </s> |
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| <s>Then they set the pot in a <lb/>warm place, and after twenty-four hours pour out the liquids with the dirt, and <lb/>separate the quicksilver from the gold in the manner which I have described. <lb/>Then they pour urine into a jar set in the ground, and in the jar place a <lb/>pot with holes in the bottom, and in the pot they place the gold; then the <lb/>lid is put on and cemented, and it is joined with the jar; they afterward heat <lb/>it till the pot glows red. </s> | <s>Then they set the pot in a <lb/>warm place, and after twenty-four hours pour out the liquids with the dirt, and <lb/>separate the quicksilver from the gold in the manner which I have described. <lb/></s> |
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| | <s>Then they pour urine into a jar set in the ground, and in the jar place a <lb/>pot with holes in the bottom, and in the pot they place the gold; then the <lb/>lid is put on and cemented, and it is joined with the jar; they afterward heat <lb/>it till the pot glows red. </s> |
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| <s>After it has cooled, if there is copper in the gold <lb/>they melt it with lead in a cupel, that the copper may be separated from it; <lb/>but if there is silver in the gold they separate them by means of the <emph type="italics"/>aqua<emph.end type="italics"/><lb/>which has the power of parting these two metals. </s> | <s>After it has cooled, if there is copper in the gold <lb/>they melt it with lead in a cupel, that the copper may be separated from it; <lb/>but if there is silver in the gold they separate them by means of the <emph type="italics"/>aqua<emph.end type="italics"/><lb/>which has the power of parting these two metals. </s> |
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| <s>Some ore is only once roasted, crushed, and washed; <lb/>and of this kind of concentrates, three <emph type="italics"/>centumpondia<emph.end type="italics"/> (lesser weights) are <lb/>taken with one <emph type="italics"/>centumpondíum<emph.end type="italics"/> each of common salt, argol and glass­<lb/>galls. </s> | <s>Some ore is only once roasted, crushed, and washed; <lb/>and of this kind of concentrates, three <emph type="italics"/>centumpondia<emph.end type="italics"/> (lesser weights) are <lb/>taken with one <emph type="italics"/>centumpondíum<emph.end type="italics"/> each of common salt, argol and glass­<lb/>galls. </s> |
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| <s>Heat them in the triangular crucible, and when the mixture has <lb/>cooled a button of pure copper will be found, if the ore is rich in this metal. <lb/>If, however, it is less rich, a stony lump results, with which the copper is <lb/>intermixed; this lump is again roasted, crushed, and, after adding stones <lb/>which easily melt and saltpetre, it is again melted in another crucible, and <lb/>there settles in the bottom of the crucible a button of pure copper. </s> | <s>Heat them in the triangular crucible, and when the mixture has <lb/>cooled a button of pure copper will be found, if the ore is rich in this metal. <lb/></s> |
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| | <s>If, however, it is less rich, a stony lump results, with which the copper is <lb/>intermixed; this lump is again roasted, crushed, and, after adding stones <lb/>which easily melt and saltpetre, it is again melted in another crucible, and <lb/>there settles in the bottom of the crucible a button of pure copper. </s> |
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| <s>If you <lb/>wish to know what proportion of silver is in this copper button, melt it in a <lb/>cupel after adding lead. </s> | <s>If you <lb/>wish to know what proportion of silver is in this copper button, melt it in a <lb/>cupel after adding lead. </s> |
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| |
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| <s>Such ore is burned, <lb/>crushed, washed, and dried; a magnet is laid over the concentrates, and <lb/>the particles of iron are attracted to it; these are wiped off with a brush, <lb/>and are caught in a crucible, the magnet being continually passed over the <lb/>concentrates and the particles wiped off, so long as there remain any particles <lb/>which the magnet can attract to it. </s> | <s>Such ore is burned, <lb/>crushed, washed, and dried; a magnet is laid over the concentrates, and <lb/>the particles of iron are attracted to it; these are wiped off with a brush, <lb/>and are caught in a crucible, the magnet being continually passed over the <lb/>concentrates and the particles wiped off, so long as there remain any particles <lb/>which the magnet can attract to it. </s> |
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| <s>These particles are heated in the crucible <lb/>with saltpetre until they melt, and an iron button is melted out of them. <lb/>If the magnet easily and quickly attracts the particles to it, we infer that the <lb/>ore is rich in iron; if slowly, that it is poor; if it appears actually to repel <lb/>the ore, then it contains little or no iron. </s> | <s>These particles are heated in the crucible <lb/>with saltpetre until they melt, and an iron button is melted out of them. <lb/></s> |
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| | <s>If the magnet easily and quickly attracts the particles to it, we infer that the <lb/>ore is rich in iron; if slowly, that it is poor; if it appears actually to repel <lb/>the ore, then it contains little or no iron. </s> |
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| <s>This is enough for the assaying of <lb/>ores.</s></p><p type="main"> | <s>This is enough for the assaying of <lb/>ores.</s></p><p type="main"> |
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| |
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| <s>The redder the <emph type="italics"/>aqua<emph.end type="italics"/> appears, the better it is judged to be; <lb/>when the redness has vanished, small white bubbles are seen to be resting <lb/>on the tubes, resembling pearls not only in shape, but also in colour. </s> | <s>The redder the <emph type="italics"/>aqua<emph.end type="italics"/> appears, the better it is judged to be; <lb/>when the redness has vanished, small white bubbles are seen to be resting <lb/>on the tubes, resembling pearls not only in shape, but also in colour. </s> |
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| <s>After <lb/>a short time the <emph type="italics"/>aqua<emph.end type="italics"/> is poured off and other is poured on; when this has <lb/>again raised six or eight small white bubbles, it is poured off and the tubes are <lb/>taken out and washed four or five times with spring water; or if they are <lb/>heated with the same water, when it is boiling, they will shine more brilliantly. <lb/>Then they are placed in a saucer, which is held in the hand and gradually <lb/>dried by the gentle heat of the fire; afterward the saucer is placed over glowing <lb/>charcoal and covered with a charcoal, and a moderate blast is blown upon it <lb/><lb/><pb pagenum="249"/>with the mouth and then a blue flame will be emitted. </s> | <s>After <lb/>a short time the <emph type="italics"/>aqua<emph.end type="italics"/> is poured off and other is poured on; when this has <lb/>again raised six or eight small white bubbles, it is poured off and the tubes are <lb/>taken out and washed four or five times with spring water; or if they are <lb/>heated with the same water, when it is boiling, they will shine more brilliantly. <lb/></s> |
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| | <s>Then they are placed in a saucer, which is held in the hand and gradually <lb/>dried by the gentle heat of the fire; afterward the saucer is placed over glowing <lb/>charcoal and covered with a charcoal, and a moderate blast is blown upon it <lb/><lb/><pb pagenum="249"/>with the mouth and then a blue flame will be emitted. </s> |
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| <s>In the end the tubes <lb/>are weighed, and if their weights prove equal, he who has undertaken this work <lb/>has not laboured in vain. </s> | <s>In the end the tubes <lb/>are weighed, and if their weights prove equal, he who has undertaken this work <lb/>has not laboured in vain. </s> |
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| <s>That of <lb/>medium strength raises the little bubbles on the tubes and is found to colour <lb/>the ampulla and the operculum a strong red; the weaker one is found to <lb/>colour them a light red, and the stronger one to break the tubes. </s> | <s>That of <lb/>medium strength raises the little bubbles on the tubes and is found to colour <lb/>the ampulla and the operculum a strong red; the weaker one is found to <lb/>colour them a light red, and the stronger one to break the tubes. </s> |
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| <s>To pure <lb/>silver in which there is some portion of gold, nothing should be added when <lb/>they are being heated in the cupel prior to their being parted, except a <emph type="italics"/>bes<emph.end type="italics"/><lb/>of lead and one-fourth or one-third its amount of copper of the lesser weights. <lb/>If the silver contains in itself a certain amount of copper, let it be weighed, <lb/>both after it has been melted with the lead, and after the gold has been parted <lb/>from it; by the former we learn how much copper is in it, by the latter how <lb/>much gold. </s> | <s>To pure <lb/>silver in which there is some portion of gold, nothing should be added when <lb/>they are being heated in the cupel prior to their being parted, except a <emph type="italics"/>bes<emph.end type="italics"/><lb/>of lead and one-fourth or one-third its amount of copper of the lesser weights. <lb/></s> |
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| | <s>If the silver contains in itself a certain amount of copper, let it be weighed, <lb/>both after it has been melted with the lead, and after the gold has been parted <lb/>from it; by the former we learn how much copper is in it, by the latter how <lb/>much gold. </s> |
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| <s>Base metals are burnt up even to-day for the purpose of assay, <lb/>because to lose so little of the metal is small loss, but from a large mass of <lb/>base metal, the precious metal is always extracted, as I will explain in <lb/>Books X. and XI.</s></p><p type="main"> | <s>Base metals are burnt up even to-day for the purpose of assay, <lb/>because to lose so little of the metal is small loss, but from a large mass of <lb/>base metal, the precious metal is always extracted, as I will explain in <lb/>Books X. and XI.</s></p><p type="main"> |
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| <s>He places the samples in a new, clean, triangular <lb/>crucible and fixes to them pieces of paper upon which are written the weight <lb/>of the cakes of copper, of whatever size they may be; for example, he writes, <lb/>“These samples have been cut from copper which weighs twenty <emph type="italics"/>centum­<lb/>pondía.”<emph.end type="italics"/> When he wishes to know how much silver one <emph type="italics"/>centumpondíum<emph.end type="italics"/> of <lb/>copper of this kind has in it, first of all he throws glowing coals into the <lb/>iron hoop, then adds charcoal to it. </s> | <s>He places the samples in a new, clean, triangular <lb/>crucible and fixes to them pieces of paper upon which are written the weight <lb/>of the cakes of copper, of whatever size they may be; for example, he writes, <lb/>“These samples have been cut from copper which weighs twenty <emph type="italics"/>centum­<lb/>pondía.”<emph.end type="italics"/> When he wishes to know how much silver one <emph type="italics"/>centumpondíum<emph.end type="italics"/> of <lb/>copper of this kind has in it, first of all he throws glowing coals into the <lb/>iron hoop, then adds charcoal to it. </s> |
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| <s>When the fire has become hot, the paper <lb/>is taken out of the crucible and put aside, he then sets that crucible on the <lb/>fire and gradually heats it for a quarter of an hour until it becomes red hot. <lb/>Then he stimulates the fire by blowing with a blast from the double bellows <lb/>for half an hour, because copper which is devoid of lead requires this time to <lb/>become hot and to melt; copper not devoid of lead melts quicker. </s> | <s>When the fire has become hot, the paper <lb/>is taken out of the crucible and put aside, he then sets that crucible on the <lb/>fire and gradually heats it for a quarter of an hour until it becomes red hot. <lb/></s> |
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| | <s>Then he stimulates the fire by blowing with a blast from the double bellows <lb/>for half an hour, because copper which is devoid of lead requires this time to <lb/>become hot and to melt; copper not devoid of lead melts quicker. </s> |
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| <s>When <lb/>he has blown the bellows for about the space of time stated, he removes the <lb/>glowing charcoal with the tongs, and stirs the copper with a splinter of wood, <lb/>which he grasps with the tongs. </s> | <s>When <lb/>he has blown the bellows for about the space of time stated, he removes the <lb/>glowing charcoal with the tongs, and stirs the copper with a splinter of wood, <lb/>which he grasps with the tongs. </s> |
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| <s>Others employ straw <lb/>in place of twigs. </s> | <s>Others employ straw <lb/>in place of twigs. </s> |
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| <s>Others place a broad stone in a tub and pour in enough <lb/>water to cover the stone, then they run out the molten copper from the <lb/>crucible on to the stone, from which the minute granules roll off; others <lb/>pour the molten copper into water and stir it until it is resolved into granules. <lb/>The fire does not easily melt the copper in the cupel unless it has been poured <lb/>and a thin leaf made of it, or unless it has been resolved into granules or <lb/>made into filings; and if it does not melt, all the labour has been undertaken <lb/>in vain. </s> | <s>Others place a broad stone in a tub and pour in enough <lb/>water to cover the stone, then they run out the molten copper from the <lb/>crucible on to the stone, from which the minute granules roll off; others <lb/>pour the molten copper into water and stir it until it is resolved into granules. <lb/></s> |
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| | <s>The fire does not easily melt the copper in the cupel unless it has been poured <lb/>and a thin leaf made of it, or unless it has been resolved into granules or <lb/>made into filings; and if it does not melt, all the labour has been undertaken <lb/>in vain. </s> |
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| <s>In order that they may be accurately weighed out, silver and lead <lb/>are resolved into granules in the same manner as copper. </s> | <s>In order that they may be accurately weighed out, silver and lead <lb/>are resolved into granules in the same manner as copper. </s> |
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| <s>The smaller silver coins which have been picked out from <lb/>the bottom and top and sides of a heap are first carefully cleansed; then, after <lb/>they have been melted in the triangular crucible, they are either resolved <lb/>into granules, or made into thin leaves. </s> | <s>The smaller silver coins which have been picked out from <lb/>the bottom and top and sides of a heap are first carefully cleansed; then, after <lb/>they have been melted in the triangular crucible, they are either resolved <lb/>into granules, or made into thin leaves. </s> |
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| <s>As for the large coins which weigh <lb/>a <emph type="italics"/>drachma,<emph.end type="italics"/> a <emph type="italics"/>sícílícus,<emph.end type="italics"/> half an <emph type="italics"/>uncía,<emph.end type="italics"/> or an <emph type="italics"/>uncia,<emph.end type="italics"/> beat them into leaves. <lb/>Then take a <emph type="italics"/>bes<emph.end type="italics"/> of the granules, or an equal weight of the leaves, and likewise <lb/>take another <emph type="italics"/>bes<emph.end type="italics"/> in the same way. </s> | <s>As for the large coins which weigh <lb/>a <emph type="italics"/>drachma,<emph.end type="italics"/> a <emph type="italics"/>sícílícus,<emph.end type="italics"/> half an <emph type="italics"/>uncía,<emph.end type="italics"/> or an <emph type="italics"/>uncia,<emph.end type="italics"/> beat them into leaves. <lb/></s> |
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| | <s>Then take a <emph type="italics"/>bes<emph.end type="italics"/> of the granules, or an equal weight of the leaves, and likewise <lb/>take another <emph type="italics"/>bes<emph.end type="italics"/> in the same way. </s> |
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| <s>Wrap each sample separately in paper, <lb/>and afterwards place two small pieces of lead in two cupels which have first <lb/>been heated. </s> | <s>Wrap each sample separately in paper, <lb/>and afterwards place two small pieces of lead in two cupels which have first <lb/>been heated. </s> |
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| |
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| <s>It remains to speak of the touchstone<emph type="sup"/>37<emph.end type="sup"/> with which gold and silver are <lb/>tested, and which was also used by the Ancients. </s> | <s>It remains to speak of the touchstone<emph type="sup"/>37<emph.end type="sup"/> with which gold and silver are <lb/>tested, and which was also used by the Ancients. </s> |
| | |
| <s>For although the assay made <lb/>by fire is more certain, still, since we often have no furnace, nor muffle, nor <lb/>crucibles, or some delay must be occasioned in using them, we can always <lb/>rub gold or silver on the touchstone, which we can have in readiness. <lb/>Further, when gold coins are assayed in the fire, of what use are they after­<lb/>ward? </s> | <s>For although the assay made <lb/>by fire is more certain, still, since we often have no furnace, nor muffle, nor <lb/>crucibles, or some delay must be occasioned in using them, we can always <lb/>rub gold or silver on the touchstone, which we can have in readiness. <lb/></s> |
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| | <s>Further, when gold coins are assayed in the fire, of what use are they after­<lb/>ward? </s> |
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| <s>A touchstone must be selected which is thoroughly black and free <lb/>of sulphur, for the blacker it is and the more devoid of sulphur, the better it <pb pagenum="253"/>generally is; I have written elsewhere of its nature<emph type="sup"/>38<emph.end type="sup"/>. </s> | <s>A touchstone must be selected which is thoroughly black and free <lb/>of sulphur, for the blacker it is and the more devoid of sulphur, the better it <pb pagenum="253"/>generally is; I have written elsewhere of its nature<emph type="sup"/>38<emph.end type="sup"/>. </s> |
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| |
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| <s>The needles are made in <lb/>accordance with the lesser weights, and each set corresponds to a <emph type="italics"/>bes,<emph.end type="italics"/><lb/>which, in our own vocabulary, is called a <emph type="italics"/>mark.<emph.end type="italics"/> The <emph type="italics"/>bes,<emph.end type="italics"/> which is employed <lb/>by those who coin gold, is divided into twenty-four double <emph type="italics"/>sextulae,<emph.end type="italics"/> which <lb/><pb pagenum="254"/>are now called after the Greek name <emph type="italics"/>ceratía;<emph.end type="italics"/> and each double <emph type="italics"/>sextula<emph.end type="italics"/> is <lb/>divided into four <emph type="italics"/>semi-sextulae,<emph.end type="italics"/> which are called <emph type="italics"/>granas;<emph.end type="italics"/> and each <emph type="italics"/>semí-sextula<emph.end type="italics"/><lb/>is divided into three units of four <emph type="italics"/>siliquae<emph.end type="italics"/> each, of which each unit is called <lb/>a <emph type="italics"/>grenlín.<emph.end type="italics"/> If we made the needles to be each four <emph type="italics"/>síliquae,<emph.end type="italics"/> there would be <lb/>two hundred and eighty-eight in a <emph type="italics"/>bes,<emph.end type="italics"/> but if each were made to be a <emph type="italics"/>semí-sextula<emph.end type="italics"/><lb/>or a double <emph type="italics"/>scripula,<emph.end type="italics"/> then there would be ninety-six in a <emph type="italics"/>bes.<emph.end type="italics"/> By these two <lb/>methods too many needles would be made, and the majority of them, by reason <lb/>of the small difference in the proportion of the gold, would indicate nothing, <lb/>therefore it is advisable to make them each of a double <emph type="italics"/>sextula;<emph.end type="italics"/> in this way <lb/>twenty-four needles are made, of which the first is made of twenty-three <lb/><emph type="italics"/>duellae<emph.end type="italics"/> of silver and one of gold. </s> | <s>The needles are made in <lb/>accordance with the lesser weights, and each set corresponds to a <emph type="italics"/>bes,<emph.end type="italics"/><lb/>which, in our own vocabulary, is called a <emph type="italics"/>mark.<emph.end type="italics"/> The <emph type="italics"/>bes,<emph.end type="italics"/> which is employed <lb/>by those who coin gold, is divided into twenty-four double <emph type="italics"/>sextulae,<emph.end type="italics"/> which <lb/><pb pagenum="254"/>are now called after the Greek name <emph type="italics"/>ceratía;<emph.end type="italics"/> and each double <emph type="italics"/>sextula<emph.end type="italics"/> is <lb/>divided into four <emph type="italics"/>semi-sextulae,<emph.end type="italics"/> which are called <emph type="italics"/>granas;<emph.end type="italics"/> and each <emph type="italics"/>semí-sextula<emph.end type="italics"/><lb/>is divided into three units of four <emph type="italics"/>siliquae<emph.end type="italics"/> each, of which each unit is called <lb/>a <emph type="italics"/>grenlín.<emph.end type="italics"/> If we made the needles to be each four <emph type="italics"/>síliquae,<emph.end type="italics"/> there would be <lb/>two hundred and eighty-eight in a <emph type="italics"/>bes,<emph.end type="italics"/> but if each were made to be a <emph type="italics"/>semí-sextula<emph.end type="italics"/><lb/>or a double <emph type="italics"/>scripula,<emph.end type="italics"/> then there would be ninety-six in a <emph type="italics"/>bes.<emph.end type="italics"/> By these two <lb/>methods too many needles would be made, and the majority of them, by reason <lb/>of the small difference in the proportion of the gold, would indicate nothing, <lb/>therefore it is advisable to make them each of a double <emph type="italics"/>sextula;<emph.end type="italics"/> in this way <lb/>twenty-four needles are made, of which the first is made of twenty-three <lb/><emph type="italics"/>duellae<emph.end type="italics"/> of silver and one of gold. </s> |
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| <s>Fannius is our authority that the Ancients <lb/>called the double <emph type="italics"/>sextula<emph.end type="italics"/> a <emph type="italics"/>duella.<emph.end type="italics"/> When a bar of silver is rubbed on the <lb/>touchstone and colours it just as this needle does, it contains one <emph type="italics"/>duella<emph.end type="italics"/> of gold. <lb/>In this manner we determine by the other needles what proportion of gold <lb/>there is, or when the gold exceeds the silver in weight, what proportion of <lb/>silver.</s></p><p type="main"> | <s>Fannius is our authority that the Ancients <lb/>called the double <emph type="italics"/>sextula<emph.end type="italics"/> a <emph type="italics"/>duella.<emph.end type="italics"/> When a bar of silver is rubbed on the <lb/>touchstone and colours it just as this needle does, it contains one <emph type="italics"/>duella<emph.end type="italics"/> of gold. <lb/></s> |
| | |
| | <s>In this manner we determine by the other needles what proportion of gold <lb/>there is, or when the gold exceeds the silver in weight, what proportion of <lb/>silver.</s></p><p type="main"> |
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| <s>The needles are made<emph type="sup"/>40<emph.end type="sup"/>:—</s></p><p type="main"> | <s>The needles are made<emph type="sup"/>40<emph.end type="sup"/>:—</s></p><p type="main"> |
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| |
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| <s>The <emph type="italics"/>bes<emph.end type="italics"/> by <lb/>which we weigh the silver is divided in two different ways. </s> | <s>The <emph type="italics"/>bes<emph.end type="italics"/> by <lb/>which we weigh the silver is divided in two different ways. </s> |
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| <s>It is either <lb/>divided twelve times, into units of five <emph type="italics"/>drachmae<emph.end type="italics"/> and one <emph type="italics"/>scrípulum<emph.end type="italics"/> each, <pb pagenum="259"/>which the ordinary people call <emph type="italics"/>nummi<emph.end type="italics"/><emph type="sup"/>41<emph.end type="sup"/>; each of these units we again divide <lb/>into twenty-four units of four <emph type="italics"/>siliquae<emph.end type="italics"/> each, which the same ordinary people <lb/>call a <emph type="italics"/>grenlin;<emph.end type="italics"/> or else the <emph type="italics"/>bes<emph.end type="italics"/> is divided into sixteen <emph type="italics"/>semunciae<emph.end type="italics"/> which <lb/>are called <emph type="italics"/>loths,<emph.end type="italics"/> each of which is again divided into eighteen units of four <lb/><emph type="italics"/>silíquae<emph.end type="italics"/> each, which they call <emph type="italics"/>grenlín.<emph.end type="italics"/> Or else the <emph type="italics"/>bes<emph.end type="italics"/> is divided into <lb/>sixteen <emph type="italics"/>semuncíae,<emph.end type="italics"/> of which each is divided into four <emph type="italics"/>drachmae,<emph.end type="italics"/> and <lb/>each <emph type="italics"/>drachma<emph.end type="italics"/> into four <emph type="italics"/>pfennige.<emph.end type="italics"/> Needles are made in accordance with <lb/>each method of dividing the <emph type="italics"/>bes.<emph.end type="italics"/> According to the first method, to the <lb/>number of twenty-four half <emph type="italics"/>nummí;<emph.end type="italics"/> according to the second method, to the <lb/>number of thirty-one half <emph type="italics"/>semuncíae,<emph.end type="italics"/> that is to say a <emph type="italics"/>sícílícus;<emph.end type="italics"/> for if the <lb/>needles were made to the number of the smaller weights, the number of <lb/>needles would again be too large, and not a few of them, by reason of the <lb/>small difference in proportion of silver or copper, would have no significance. <lb/>We test both bars and coined money composed of silver and copper by both <lb/>scales. </s> | <s>It is either <lb/>divided twelve times, into units of five <emph type="italics"/>drachmae<emph.end type="italics"/> and one <emph type="italics"/>scrípulum<emph.end type="italics"/> each, <pb pagenum="259"/>which the ordinary people call <emph type="italics"/>nummi<emph.end type="italics"/><emph type="sup"/>41<emph.end type="sup"/>; each of these units we again divide <lb/>into twenty-four units of four <emph type="italics"/>siliquae<emph.end type="italics"/> each, which the same ordinary people <lb/>call a <emph type="italics"/>grenlin;<emph.end type="italics"/> or else the <emph type="italics"/>bes<emph.end type="italics"/> is divided into sixteen <emph type="italics"/>semunciae<emph.end type="italics"/> which <lb/>are called <emph type="italics"/>loths,<emph.end type="italics"/> each of which is again divided into eighteen units of four <lb/><emph type="italics"/>silíquae<emph.end type="italics"/> each, which they call <emph type="italics"/>grenlín.<emph.end type="italics"/> Or else the <emph type="italics"/>bes<emph.end type="italics"/> is divided into <lb/>sixteen <emph type="italics"/>semuncíae,<emph.end type="italics"/> of which each is divided into four <emph type="italics"/>drachmae,<emph.end type="italics"/> and <lb/>each <emph type="italics"/>drachma<emph.end type="italics"/> into four <emph type="italics"/>pfennige.<emph.end type="italics"/> Needles are made in accordance with <lb/>each method of dividing the <emph type="italics"/>bes.<emph.end type="italics"/> According to the first method, to the <lb/>number of twenty-four half <emph type="italics"/>nummí;<emph.end type="italics"/> according to the second method, to the <lb/>number of thirty-one half <emph type="italics"/>semuncíae,<emph.end type="italics"/> that is to say a <emph type="italics"/>sícílícus;<emph.end type="italics"/> for if the <lb/>needles were made to the number of the smaller weights, the number of <lb/>needles would again be too large, and not a few of them, by reason of the <lb/>small difference in proportion of silver or copper, would have no significance. <lb/></s> |
| | |
| | <s>We test both bars and coined money composed of silver and copper by both <lb/>scales. </s> |
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| <s>The one is as follows: the first needle is made of twenty-three <lb/>parts of copper and one part silver; whereby, whatsoever bar or coin, when <lb/>rubbed on the touchstone, colours it just as this needle does, in that bar or <lb/>money there is one twenty-fourth part of silver, and so also, in accordance <lb/>with the proportion of silver, is known the remaining proportion of the copper.</s></p><p type="main"> | <s>The one is as follows: the first needle is made of twenty-three <lb/>parts of copper and one part silver; whereby, whatsoever bar or coin, when <lb/>rubbed on the touchstone, colours it just as this needle does, in that bar or <lb/>money there is one twenty-fourth part of silver, and so also, in accordance <lb/>with the proportion of silver, is known the remaining proportion of the copper.</s></p><p type="main"> |
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| |
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| <s>Perhaps I have used more words than those most <lb/>highly skilled in the art may require, but it is necessary for the understanding <lb/>of these matters.</s></p><p type="main"> | <s>Perhaps I have used more words than those most <lb/>highly skilled in the art may require, but it is necessary for the understanding <lb/>of these matters.</s></p><p type="main"> |
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| <s>I will now speak of the weights, of which I have frequently made mention. <lb/>Among mining people these are of two kinds, that is, the greater weights and <lb/>the lesser weights. </s> | <s>I will now speak of the weights, of which I have frequently made mention. <lb/></s> |
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| | <s>Among mining people these are of two kinds, that is, the greater weights and <lb/>the lesser weights. </s> |
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| <s>The <emph type="italics"/>centumpondium<emph.end type="italics"/> is the first and largest weight, and of <pb pagenum="261"/>course consists of one hundred <emph type="italics"/>librae,<emph.end type="italics"/> and for that reason is called a <lb/>hundred weight.</s></p><p type="main"> | <s>The <emph type="italics"/>centumpondium<emph.end type="italics"/> is the first and largest weight, and of <pb pagenum="261"/>course consists of one hundred <emph type="italics"/>librae,<emph.end type="italics"/> and for that reason is called a <lb/>hundred weight.</s></p><p type="main"> |
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| |
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| <s>There are three small balances by which we weigh ore, metals, and <lb/>fluxes. </s> | <s>There are three small balances by which we weigh ore, metals, and <lb/>fluxes. </s> |
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| <s>The first, by which we weigh lead and fluxes, is the largest among these <lb/>smaller balances, and when eight <emph type="italics"/>unciae<emph.end type="italics"/> (of the greater weights) are placed in <lb/>one of its pans, and the same number in the other, it sustains no damage. <lb/>The second is more delicate, and by this we weigh the ore or the metal, which <lb/>is to be assayed; this is well able to carry one <emph type="italics"/>centumpondium<emph.end type="italics"/> of the lesser <pb pagenum="265"/>weights in one pan, and in the other, ore or metal as heavy as that weight. <lb/>The third is the most delicate, and by this we weigh the beads of gold or <lb/>silver, which, when the assay is completed, settle in the bottom of the cupel. <lb/>But if anyone weighs lead in the second balance, or an ore in the third, he <lb/>will do them much injury.</s></p><p type="main"> | <s>The first, by which we weigh lead and fluxes, is the largest among these <lb/>smaller balances, and when eight <emph type="italics"/>unciae<emph.end type="italics"/> (of the greater weights) are placed in <lb/>one of its pans, and the same number in the other, it sustains no damage. <lb/></s> |
| | |
| | <s>The second is more delicate, and by this we weigh the ore or the metal, which <lb/>is to be assayed; this is well able to carry one <emph type="italics"/>centumpondium<emph.end type="italics"/> of the lesser <pb pagenum="265"/>weights in one pan, and in the other, ore or metal as heavy as that weight. <lb/></s> |
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| | <s>The third is the most delicate, and by this we weigh the beads of gold or <lb/>silver, which, when the assay is completed, settle in the bottom of the cupel. <lb/></s> |
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| | <s>But if anyone weighs lead in the second balance, or an ore in the third, he <lb/>will do them much injury.</s></p><p type="main"> |
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| <s>Whatsoever small amount of metal is obtained from a <emph type="italics"/>centumpondium<emph.end type="italics"/><lb/>of the lesser weights of ore or metal alloy, the same greater weight of metal <lb/>is smelted from a <emph type="italics"/>centumpondium<emph.end type="italics"/> of the greater weight of ore or metal alloy.</s></p><figure></figure><p type="caption"> | <s>Whatsoever small amount of metal is obtained from a <emph type="italics"/>centumpondium<emph.end type="italics"/><lb/>of the lesser weights of ore or metal alloy, the same greater weight of metal <lb/>is smelted from a <emph type="italics"/>centumpondium<emph.end type="italics"/> of the greater weight of ore or metal alloy.</s></p><figure></figure><p type="caption"> |
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| |
| | |
| <s><emph type="bold"/>BOOK VIII.<emph.end type="bold"/></s></p><p type="main"> | <s><emph type="bold"/>BOOK VIII.<emph.end type="bold"/></s></p><p type="main"> |
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| <s>Questions of assaying were explained in the last <lb/>Book, and I have now come to a greater task, that <lb/>is, to the description of how we extract the metals. <lb/>First of all I will explain the method of preparing <lb/>the ore<emph type="sup"/>1<emph.end type="sup"/>; for since Nature usually creates metals <lb/>in an impure state, mixed with earth, stones, and <lb/>solidified juices, it is necessary to separate most of <lb/>these impurities from the ores as far as can be, <lb/>before they are smelted, and therefore I will now <lb/>describe the methods by which the ores are sorted, broken with hammers, <lb/>burnt, crushed with stamps, ground into powder, sifted, washed, roasted, <lb/>and calcined<emph type="sup"/>2<emph.end type="sup"/>.<lb/></s></p><pb pagenum="268"/><figure></figure><p type="caption"> | <s>Questions of assaying were explained in the last <lb/>Book, and I have now come to a greater task, that <lb/>is, to the description of how we extract the metals. <lb/></s> |
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| | <s>First of all I will explain the method of preparing <lb/>the ore<emph type="sup"/>1<emph.end type="sup"/>; for since Nature usually creates metals <lb/>in an impure state, mixed with earth, stones, and <lb/>solidified juices, it is necessary to separate most of <lb/>these impurities from the ores as far as can be, <lb/>before they are smelted, and therefore I will now <lb/>describe the methods by which the ores are sorted, broken with hammers, <lb/>burnt, crushed with stamps, ground into powder, sifted, washed, roasted, <lb/>and calcined<emph type="sup"/>2<emph.end type="sup"/>.<lb/></s></p><pb pagenum="268"/><figure></figure><p type="caption"> |
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| <s>A—LONG TABLE. B—TRAY. C—TUB.</s></p><p type="main"> | <s>A—LONG TABLE. B—TRAY. C—TUB.</s></p><p type="main"> |
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| <s>They throw the mixed material upon a long table, beside which they <lb/>sìt for almost the whole day, and they sort out the ore; when it has been <lb/>sorted out, they collect it in trays, and when collected they throw it into <lb/>tubs, which are carried to the works in which the ores are smelted.</s></p><p type="main"> | <s>They throw the mixed material upon a long table, beside which they <lb/>sìt for almost the whole day, and they sort out the ore; when it has been <lb/>sorted out, they collect it in trays, and when collected they throw it into <lb/>tubs, which are carried to the works in which the ores are smelted.</s></p><p type="main"> |
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| <s>The metal which is dug out in a pure or crude state, to which class belong <lb/>native silver, silver glance, and gray silver, is placed on a stone by the <lb/>mine foreman and flattened out by pounding with heavy square hammers. <lb/>These masses, when they have been thus flattened out like plates, are placed <lb/>either on the stump of a tree, and cut into pieces by pounding an iron chisel <lb/>into them with a hammer, or else they are cut with an iron tool similar to a <lb/>pair of shears. </s> | <s>The metal which is dug out in a pure or crude state, to which class belong <lb/>native silver, silver glance, and gray silver, is placed on a stone by the <lb/>mine foreman and flattened out by pounding with heavy square hammers. <lb/></s> |
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| | <s>These masses, when they have been thus flattened out like plates, are placed <lb/>either on the stump of a tree, and cut into pieces by pounding an iron chisel <lb/>into them with a hammer, or else they are cut with an iron tool similar to a <lb/>pair of shears. </s> |
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| <s>One blade of these shears is three feet long, and is firmly <lb/>fixed in a stump, and the other blade which cuts the metal is six feet long. </s></p><figure></figure><p type="caption"> | <s>One blade of these shears is three feet long, and is firmly <lb/>fixed in a stump, and the other blade which cuts the metal is six feet long. </s></p><figure></figure><p type="caption"> |
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| |
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| <s>Sulphur is <lb/>frequently found in metallic ores, and, generally speaking, is more harmful <lb/>to the metals, except gold, than are the other things. </s> | <s>Sulphur is <lb/>frequently found in metallic ores, and, generally speaking, is more harmful <lb/>to the metals, except gold, than are the other things. </s> |
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| <s>It is most harmful of <lb/>all to iron, and less to tin than to bismuth, lead, silver, or copper. <lb/>Since very rarely gold is found in which there is not some silver, even gold <lb/>ores containing sulphur ought to be roasted before they are smelted, because, <lb/>in a very vigorous furnace fire, sulphur resolves metal into ashes and makes <lb/>slag of it. </s> | <s>It is most harmful of <lb/>all to iron, and less to tin than to bismuth, lead, silver, or copper. <lb/></s> |
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| | <s>Since very rarely gold is found in which there is not some silver, even gold <lb/>ores containing sulphur ought to be roasted before they are smelted, because, <lb/>in a very vigorous furnace fire, sulphur resolves metal into ashes and makes <lb/>slag of it. </s> |
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| <s>Bitumen acts in the same way, in fact sometimes it consumes <lb/>silver, which we may see in bituminous <emph type="italics"/>cadmia<emph.end type="italics"/><emph type="sup"/>4<emph.end type="sup"/>.</s></p><p type="main"> | <s>Bitumen acts in the same way, in fact sometimes it consumes <lb/>silver, which we may see in bituminous <emph type="italics"/>cadmia<emph.end type="italics"/><emph type="sup"/>4<emph.end type="sup"/>.</s></p><p type="main"> |
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| <s>A—AREA. B—WOOD. C—ORE. D—CONE-SHAPED PILES. E—CANAL.<lb/>same ore is soaked with water and smeared over it and beaten on with shovels; <lb/>some workers, if they cannot obtain such fine sand, cover the pile with char­<lb/>coal-dust, just as do charcoal-burners. </s> | <s>A—AREA. B—WOOD. C—ORE. D—CONE-SHAPED PILES. E—CANAL.<lb/>same ore is soaked with water and smeared over it and beaten on with shovels; <lb/>some workers, if they cannot obtain such fine sand, cover the pile with char­<lb/>coal-dust, just as do charcoal-burners. </s> |
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| <s>But at Goslar, the pile, when it has <lb/>been built up in the form of a cone, is smeared with <emph type="italics"/>atramentum sutorium <lb/>rubrum<emph.end type="italics"/><emph type="sup"/>5<emph.end type="sup"/>, which is made by the leaching of roasted pyrites soaked with water. <lb/>In some districts the ore is roasted once, in others twice, in others three times, <lb/>as its hardness may require. </s> | <s>But at Goslar, the pile, when it has <lb/>been built up in the form of a cone, is smeared with <emph type="italics"/>atramentum sutorium <lb/>rubrum<emph.end type="italics"/><emph type="sup"/>5<emph.end type="sup"/>, which is made by the leaching of roasted pyrites soaked with water. <lb/></s> |
| | |
| | <s>In some districts the ore is roasted once, in others twice, in others three times, <lb/>as its hardness may require. </s> |
| | |
| <s>At Goslar, when pyrites is roasted for the third <lb/>time, that which is placed on the top of the pyre exudes a certain greenish, <lb/>dry, rough, thin substance, as I have elsewhere written<emph type="sup"/>6<emph.end type="sup"/>; this is no more <lb/>easily burned by the fire than is asbestos. </s> | <s>At Goslar, when pyrites is roasted for the third <lb/>time, that which is placed on the top of the pyre exudes a certain greenish, <lb/>dry, rough, thin substance, as I have elsewhere written<emph type="sup"/>6<emph.end type="sup"/>; this is no more <lb/>easily burned by the fire than is asbestos. </s> |
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| |
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| <s>If it is sulphur, it is generally of a <lb/>yellow colour; if bitumen, it is black like pitch. </s> | <s>If it is sulphur, it is generally of a <lb/>yellow colour; if bitumen, it is black like pitch. </s> |
| | |
| <s>If these were not drawn <lb/>out they would do much harm to the metal, when the ore is being smelted. <lb/>When they have thus been separated they prove of some service to man, <lb/>especially the sulphurous kind. </s> | <s>If these were not drawn <lb/>out they would do much harm to the metal, when the ore is being smelted. <lb/></s> |
| | |
| | <s>When they have thus been separated they prove of some service to man, <lb/>especially the sulphurous kind. </s> |
| | |
| <s>From the vapour which is carried down, not </s></p><pb pagenum="277"/><figure></figure><p type="caption"> | <s>From the vapour which is carried down, not </s></p><pb pagenum="277"/><figure></figure><p type="caption"> |
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| |
| | |
| <s>At one time, they used <lb/>to pile this kind of stone, when extracted from the pit, on bundles of <lb/>faggots and roast it by firing the faggots; nowadays, they first of all <lb/>carry these same stones to a heap, where they are left to lie for some time in <lb/>such a way as to allow the air and rain to soften them. </s> | <s>At one time, they used <lb/>to pile this kind of stone, when extracted from the pit, on bundles of <lb/>faggots and roast it by firing the faggots; nowadays, they first of all <lb/>carry these same stones to a heap, where they are left to lie for some time in <lb/>such a way as to allow the air and rain to soften them. </s> |
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| <s>Then they make a <lb/>bed of faggot bundles near the heap, and carry the nearest stones to this <lb/>bed; afterward they again place bundles of faggots in the empty place <lb/>from which the first stones have been removed, and pile over this extended <lb/>bed, the stones which lay nearest to the first lot; and they do this right up to <lb/>the end, until all the stones have been piled mound-shape on a bed of faggots. <lb/>Finally they fire the faggots, not, however, on the side where the wind is <lb/>blowing, but on the opposite side, lest the fire blown up by the force of the <lb/>wind should consume the faggots before the stones are roasted and made soft; <lb/>by this method the stones which are adjacent to the faggots take fire and <lb/>communicate it to the next ones, and these again to the adjoining ones, and <lb/>in this way the heap very often burns continuously for thirty days or more. <lb/>This schist rock when rich in copper, as I have said elsewhere, exudes a <lb/>substance of a nature similar to asbestos.</s></p><p type="main"> | <s>Then they make a <lb/>bed of faggot bundles near the heap, and carry the nearest stones to this <lb/>bed; afterward they again place bundles of faggots in the empty place <lb/>from which the first stones have been removed, and pile over this extended <lb/>bed, the stones which lay nearest to the first lot; and they do this right up to <lb/>the end, until all the stones have been piled mound-shape on a bed of faggots. <lb/></s> |
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| | <s>Finally they fire the faggots, not, however, on the side where the wind is <lb/>blowing, but on the opposite side, lest the fire blown up by the force of the <lb/>wind should consume the faggots before the stones are roasted and made soft; <lb/>by this method the stones which are adjacent to the faggots take fire and <lb/>communicate it to the next ones, and these again to the adjoining ones, and <lb/>in this way the heap very often burns continuously for thirty days or more. <lb/></s> |
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| | <s>This schist rock when rich in copper, as I have said elsewhere, exudes a <lb/>substance of a nature similar to asbestos.</s></p><p type="main"> |
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| <s>Ore is crushed with iron-shod stamps, in order that the metal may be <lb/>separated from the stone and the hanging-wall rock.<emph type="sup"/>8<emph.end type="sup"/> The machines which <lb/>miners use for this purpose are of four kinds, and are made by the following <lb/>method. </s> | <s>Ore is crushed with iron-shod stamps, in order that the metal may be <lb/>separated from the stone and the hanging-wall rock.<emph type="sup"/>8<emph.end type="sup"/> The machines which <lb/>miners use for this purpose are of four kinds, and are made by the following <lb/>method. </s> |
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| |
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| <s>To the sides of the mortar above the block are fixed <lb/>two upright posts, whose upper ends are somewhat cut back and are mor­<lb/>tised to the timbers of the building. </s> | <s>To the sides of the mortar above the block are fixed <lb/>two upright posts, whose upper ends are somewhat cut back and are mor­<lb/>tised to the timbers of the building. </s> |
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| <s>Two and a half feet above the mortar <pb pagenum="281"/>are placed two cross-beams joined together, one in front and one in the back, <lb/>the ends of which are mortised into the upright posts already mentioned. <lb/>Through each mortise is bored a hole, into which is driven an iron clavis<gap/><lb/>one end of the clavis has two horns, and the other end is perforated in order <lb/>that a wedge driven through, binds the beams more firmly; one horn of the <lb/>clavis turns up and the other down. </s> | <s>Two and a half feet above the mortar <pb pagenum="281"/>are placed two cross-beams joined together, one in front and one in the back, <lb/>the ends of which are mortised into the upright posts already mentioned. <lb/></s> |
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| | <s>Through each mortise is bored a hole, into which is driven an iron clavis<gap/><lb/>one end of the clavis has two horns, and the other end is perforated in order <lb/>that a wedge driven through, binds the beams more firmly; one horn of the <lb/>clavis turns up and the other down. </s> |
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| <s>Three and a half feet above the cross-<pb pagenum="282"/>beams, two other cross-beams of the same kind are again joined in a similar <lb/>manner; these cross-beams have square openings, in which the iron-shod <lb/>stamps are inserted. </s> | <s>Three and a half feet above the cross-<pb pagenum="282"/>beams, two other cross-beams of the same kind are again joined in a similar <lb/>manner; these cross-beams have square openings, in which the iron-shod <lb/>stamps are inserted. </s> |
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| |
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| <s>To the cam-shaft is fixed a water-wheel whose <lb/>buckets are turned by water-power. </s> | <s>To the cam-shaft is fixed a water-wheel whose <lb/>buckets are turned by water-power. </s> |
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| <s>Instead of doors, the mouth of the <lb/>mortar has a board, which is fitted into notches cut out of the front of the block. <lb/>This board can be raised, in order that when the mouth is open, the workmen </s></p><pb pagenum="284"/><figure></figure><p type="caption"> | <s>Instead of doors, the mouth of the <lb/>mortar has a board, which is fitted into notches cut out of the front of the block. <lb/></s> |
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| | <s>This board can be raised, in order that when the mouth is open, the workmen </s></p><pb pagenum="284"/><figure></figure><p type="caption"> |
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| <s>A—MORTAR. B—UPRIGHT POSTS. C—CROSS-BEAMS. D—STAMPS. E—THEIR HEADS. <lb/>F—AXLE (CAM-SHAFT). G—TOOTH OF THE STAMP (TAPPET). H—TEETH OF AXLE (CAMS).<lb/>can remove with a shovel the fine sand, and likewise the coarse sand and <lb/>broken rock, into which the rocks have been crushed; this board can be <lb/>lowered, so that the mouth thus being closed, the fresh rock thrown in may <lb/>be crushed with the iron-shod stamps. </s> | <s>A—MORTAR. B—UPRIGHT POSTS. C—CROSS-BEAMS. D—STAMPS. E—THEIR HEADS. <lb/>F—AXLE (CAM-SHAFT). G—TOOTH OF THE STAMP (TAPPET). H—TEETH OF AXLE (CAMS).<lb/>can remove with a shovel the fine sand, and likewise the coarse sand and <lb/>broken rock, into which the rocks have been crushed; this board can be <lb/>lowered, so that the mouth thus being closed, the fresh rock thrown in may <lb/>be crushed with the iron-shod stamps. </s> |
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| <s>If an oak block is not available, <lb/>two timbers are placed on the ground and joined together with iron clamps, <lb/>each of the timbers being six feet long, a foot wide, and a foot and a half thick. <lb/>Such depth as should be allowed to the mortar, is obtained by cutting out the <lb/>first beam to a width of three-quarters of a foot and to a length of two and a <lb/>third and one twenty-fourth of a foot. </s> | <s>If an oak block is not available, <lb/>two timbers are placed on the ground and joined together with iron clamps, <lb/>each of the timbers being six feet long, a foot wide, and a foot and a half thick. <lb/></s> |
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| | <s>Such depth as should be allowed to the mortar, is obtained by cutting out the <lb/>first beam to a width of three-quarters of a foot and to a length of two and a <lb/>third and one twenty-fourth of a foot. </s> |
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| <s>In the bottom of the part thus dug <lb/>out, there should be laid a very hard rock, a foot thick and three-quarters of a <lb/>foot wide; about it, if any space remains, earth or sand should be filled in <lb/>and pounded. </s> | <s>In the bottom of the part thus dug <lb/>out, there should be laid a very hard rock, a foot thick and three-quarters of a <lb/>foot wide; about it, if any space remains, earth or sand should be filled in <lb/>and pounded. </s> |
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| <s>The iron head of each is made in the following <pb pagenum="285"/>way; the lower part of the head is three palms long and the upper part the <lb/>same length. </s> | <s>The iron head of each is made in the following <pb pagenum="285"/>way; the lower part of the head is three palms long and the upper part the <lb/>same length. </s> |
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| <s>The lower part is a palm square in the middle for two palms, <lb/>then below this, for a length of two digits it gradually spreads until it <lb/>becomes five digits square; above the middle part, for a length of two <lb/>digits, it again gradually swells out until it becomes a palm and a half square. <lb/>Higher up, where the head of the shoe is enclosed in the stem, it is bored <lb/>through and similarly the stem itself is pierced, and through the opening of <lb/>each, there passes a broad iron wedge, which prevents the head falling off the <lb/>stem. </s> | <s>The lower part is a palm square in the middle for two palms, <lb/>then below this, for a length of two digits it gradually spreads until it <lb/>becomes five digits square; above the middle part, for a length of two <lb/>digits, it again gradually swells out until it becomes a palm and a half square. <lb/></s> |
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| | <s>Higher up, where the head of the shoe is enclosed in the stem, it is bored <lb/>through and similarly the stem itself is pierced, and through the opening of <lb/>each, there passes a broad iron wedge, which prevents the head falling off the <lb/>stem. </s> |
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| <s>To prevent the stamp head from becoming broken by the constant <lb/>striking of fragments of ore or rocks, there is placed around it a quadrangular <lb/>iron band a digit thick, seven digits wide, and six digits deep. </s> | <s>To prevent the stamp head from becoming broken by the constant <lb/>striking of fragments of ore or rocks, there is placed around it a quadrangular <lb/>iron band a digit thick, seven digits wide, and six digits deep. </s> |
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| <s>This box may rightly <lb/>be called a quadrangular sieve, as may also that kind which follows.</s></p><p type="main"> | <s>This box may rightly <lb/>be called a quadrangular sieve, as may also that kind which follows.</s></p><p type="main"> |
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| <s>Some employ a sieve shaped like a wooden bucket, bound with two iron <lb/>hoops; its bottom, like that of the box, is made of iron wire netting. <lb/>They place this on two small cross-planks fixed upon a post set in the ground. <lb/>Some do not fix the post in the ground, but stand it on the ground until <lb/>there arises a heap of the material which has passed through the sieve, and <lb/>in this the post is fixed. </s> | <s>Some employ a sieve shaped like a wooden bucket, bound with two iron <lb/>hoops; its bottom, like that of the box, is made of iron wire netting. <lb/></s> |
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| | <s>They place this on two small cross-planks fixed upon a post set in the ground. <lb/></s> |
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| | <s>Some do not fix the post in the ground, but stand it on the ground until <lb/>there arises a heap of the material which has passed through the sieve, and <lb/>in this the post is fixed. </s> |
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| <s>With an iron shovel the workman throws into this <lb/>sieve broken rock, small stones, coarse and fine sand raked out of the dump; <lb/>holding the handles of the sieve in his hands, he agitates it up and down in </s></p><figure></figure><p type="caption"> | <s>With an iron shovel the workman throws into this <lb/>sieve broken rock, small stones, coarse and fine sand raked out of the dump; <lb/>holding the handles of the sieve in his hands, he agitates it up and down in </s></p><figure></figure><p type="caption"> |
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| |
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| <s>An iron bale is fastened from the middle of the planks which form <lb/>its sides; to this bale is fastened a rope which is suspended from a wooden <lb/>beam, in order that the box may be moved or tilted in any direction. </s></p><figure></figure><p type="caption"> | <s>An iron bale is fastened from the middle of the planks which form <lb/>its sides; to this bale is fastened a rope which is suspended from a wooden <lb/>beam, in order that the box may be moved or tilted in any direction. </s></p><figure></figure><p type="caption"> |
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| <s>A—BOX. B—BALE. C—ROPE. D—BEAM. E—HANDLES. F—FIVE-TOOTHED RAKE. <lb/>G—SIEVE. H—ITS HANDLES. I—POLE. K—ROPE. L—TIMBER.<lb/>There are two handles on each end, not unlike the handles of a wheel­<lb/>barrow; these are held by two workmen, who shake the box to and fro. <lb/>This box is the one principally used by the Germans who dwell in the <lb/>Carpathian mountains. </s> | <s>A—BOX. B—BALE. C—ROPE. D—BEAM. E—HANDLES. F—FIVE-TOOTHED RAKE. <lb/>G—SIEVE. H—ITS HANDLES. I—POLE. K—ROPE. L—TIMBER.<lb/>There are two handles on each end, not unlike the handles of a wheel­<lb/>barrow; these are held by two workmen, who shake the box to and fro. <lb/></s> |
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| | <s>This box is the one principally used by the Germans who dwell in the <lb/>Carpathian mountains. </s> |
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| <s>The smaller particles are separated from the larger <lb/>ones by means of three boxes and two sieves, in order that those which <lb/>pass through each, being of equal size, may be washed together; for the <lb/>bottoms of both the boxes and sieves have openings which do not let <lb/>through broken rock of the size of a hazel nut. </s> | <s>The smaller particles are separated from the larger <lb/>ones by means of three boxes and two sieves, in order that those which <lb/>pass through each, being of equal size, may be washed together; for the <lb/>bottoms of both the boxes and sieves have openings which do not let <lb/>through broken rock of the size of a hazel nut. </s> |
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| <s>From time to <lb/>time a sifter pulls this box and thrusts it violently against the tree or post, <lb/>by which means the small particles passing through its holes descend down <lb/>another chute into another short box, in whose bottom there are smaller <lb/>holes. </s> | <s>From time to <lb/>time a sifter pulls this box and thrusts it violently against the tree or post, <lb/>by which means the small particles passing through its holes descend down <lb/>another chute into another short box, in whose bottom there are smaller <lb/>holes. </s> |
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| <s>A second sifter, in like manner, thrusts this box violently against a <lb/>tree or post, and a second time the smaller particles are received into a third <lb/>chute, and slide down into a third box, whose bottom has still smaller holes. <lb/>A third sifter, in like manner, thrusts this box violently against a tree or post, <lb/>and for the third time the tiny particles fall through the holes upon a table. <lb/>While the workman is bringing in the barrow, another load which has been <lb/>sorted from the dump, each sifter withdraws the hooks from his bale <lb/>and carries away his own box and overturns it, heaping up the broken rock <lb/>or sand which remains in the bottom of it. </s> | <s>A second sifter, in like manner, thrusts this box violently against a <lb/>tree or post, and a second time the smaller particles are received into a third <lb/>chute, and slide down into a third box, whose bottom has still smaller holes. <lb/></s> |
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| | <s>A third sifter, in like manner, thrusts this box violently against a tree or post, <lb/>and for the third time the tiny particles fall through the holes upon a table. <lb/></s> |
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| <s>As for the tiny particles which <lb/>have slid down upon the table, the first washer—for there are as many <lb/>washers as sifters—sweeps them off and in a tub nearly full of water, washes <lb/>them through a sieve whose holes are smaller than the holes of the third box. <lb/>When this tub has been filled with the material which has passed through <lb/>the sieve, he draws out the plug to let the water run away; then he removes <lb/>with a shovel that which has settled in the tub and throws it upon the table <lb/>of a second washer, who washes it in a sieve with smaller holes. </s> | <s>While the workman is bringing in the barrow, another load which has been <lb/>sorted from the dump, each sifter withdraws the hooks from his bale <lb/>and carries away his own box and overturns it, heaping up the broken rock <lb/>or sand which remains in the bottom of it. </s> |
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| <s>The sedi­<lb/>ment which has this time settled in his tub, he takes out and throws on the <lb/>table of a third washer, who washes it in a sieve with the smallest holes. <lb/>The copper concentrates which have settled in the last tub are taken out and <lb/>smelted; the sediment which each washer has removed with a limp is <lb/>washed on a canvas strake. </s> | <s>As for the tiny particles which <lb/>have slid down upon the table, the first washer—for there are as many <lb/>washers as sifters—sweeps them off and in a tub nearly full of water, washes <lb/>them through a sieve whose holes are smaller than the holes of the third box. <lb/></s> |
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| | <s>When this tub has been filled with the material which has passed through <lb/>the sieve, he draws out the plug to let the water run away; then he removes <lb/>with a shovel that which has settled in the tub and throws it upon the table <lb/>of a second washer, who washes it in a sieve with smaller holes. </s> |
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| | <s>The sedi­<lb/>ment which has this time settled in his tub, he takes out and throws on the <lb/>table of a third washer, who washes it in a sieve with the smallest holes. <lb/></s> |
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| | <s>The copper concentrates which have settled in the last tub are taken out and <lb/>smelted; the sediment which each washer has removed with a limp is <lb/>washed on a canvas strake. </s> |
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| <s>The sifters at Altenberg, in the tin mines of <lb/>the mountains bordering on Bohemia, use such boxes as I have described, <lb/>hung from wooden beams. </s> | <s>The sifters at Altenberg, in the tin mines of <lb/>the mountains bordering on Bohemia, use such boxes as I have described, <lb/>hung from wooden beams. </s> |
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| |
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| <s>The sieve is generally <lb/>a cubit broad and half a foot deep; its bottom has holes of such size that the <lb/>larger pieces of broken rock cannot pass through them, for this material rests <lb/>upon the straight and cross iron wires, which at their points of contact are <lb/>bound by small iron clips. </s> | <s>The sieve is generally <lb/>a cubit broad and half a foot deep; its bottom has holes of such size that the <lb/>larger pieces of broken rock cannot pass through them, for this material rests <lb/>upon the straight and cross iron wires, which at their points of contact are <lb/>bound by small iron clips. </s> |
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| <s>The sieve is held together by an iron band and by <lb/>two cross-rods likewise of iron; the rest of the sieve is made of staves in the <lb/>shape of a little tub, and is bound with two iron hoops; some, however, <lb/>bind it with hoops of hazel or oak, but in that case they use three of them. <lb/>On each side it has handles, which are held in the hands by whoever washes <lb/>the metalliferous material. </s> | <s>The sieve is held together by an iron band and by <lb/>two cross-rods likewise of iron; the rest of the sieve is made of staves in the <lb/>shape of a little tub, and is bound with two iron hoops; some, however, <lb/>bind it with hoops of hazel or oak, but in that case they use three of them. <lb/></s> |
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| | <s>On each side it has handles, which are held in the hands by whoever washes <lb/>the metalliferous material. </s> |
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| <s>Into this sieve a boy throws the material to be <lb/>washed, and a woman shakes it up and down, turning it alternately to the </s></p><figure></figure><p type="caption"> | <s>Into this sieve a boy throws the material to be <lb/>washed, and a woman shakes it up and down, turning it alternately to the </s></p><figure></figure><p type="caption"> |
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| |
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| <s>The middle of the upper millstone is bored through, and <lb/>the ore, being thrown into this opening, falls down upon the lower millstone <lb/>and is there ground to powder, which gradually runs out through its opening; <lb/>it is washed by various methods before it is mixed with quicksilver, <lb/>which I will explain presently.</s></p><p type="main"> | <s>The middle of the upper millstone is bored through, and <lb/>the ore, being thrown into this opening, falls down upon the lower millstone <lb/>and is there ground to powder, which gradually runs out through its opening; <lb/>it is washed by various methods before it is mixed with quicksilver, <lb/>which I will explain presently.</s></p><p type="main"> |
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| <s>Some people build a machine which at one and the same time can crush, <lb/>grind, cleanse, and wash the gold ore, and mix the gold with quicksilver. <lb/>This machine has one water-wheel, which is turned by a stream striking its <lb/>buckets; the main axle on one side of the water-wheel has long cams, which <lb/>raise the stamps that crush the dry ore. </s> | <s>Some people build a machine which at one and the same time can crush, <lb/>grind, cleanse, and wash the gold ore, and mix the gold with quicksilver. <lb/></s> |
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| | <s>This machine has one water-wheel, which is turned by a stream striking its <lb/>buckets; the main axle on one side of the water-wheel has long cams, which <lb/>raise the stamps that crush the dry ore. </s> |
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| <s>Then the crushed ore is thrown <lb/>into the hopper of the upper millstone, and gradually falling through the <lb/>opening, is ground to powder. </s> | <s>Then the crushed ore is thrown <lb/>into the hopper of the upper millstone, and gradually falling through the <lb/>opening, is ground to powder. </s> |
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| |
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| <s>To this straight <lb/>buddle there is joined a second transverse buddle, six feet long and a foot <lb/>and a half wide and deep, similarly lined with planks; at the lower <pb pagenum="301"/>end it is closed up with a board, also lower than the sides of the buddle so <lb/>that the water can flow away: this water falls into a launder and is carried <lb/>outside the building. </s> | <s>To this straight <lb/>buddle there is joined a second transverse buddle, six feet long and a foot <lb/>and a half wide and deep, similarly lined with planks; at the lower <pb pagenum="301"/>end it is closed up with a board, also lower than the sides of the buddle so <lb/>that the water can flow away: this water falls into a launder and is carried <lb/>outside the building. </s> |
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| <s>In this simple buddle is washed the metallic material <lb/>which has passed on to the floor of the works through the five large sieves. <lb/>When this has been gathered into a heap, the washer throws it into the head <lb/>of the buddle, and water is poured upon it through the pipe or small trough, <lb/>and the portion which sinks and settles in the middle of the head compart­<lb/>ment he stirs with a wooden scrubber,—this is what we will henceforth call <lb/>the implement made of a stick to which is fixed a piece of wood a foot long <lb/>and a palm broad. </s> | <s>In this simple buddle is washed the metallic material <lb/>which has passed on to the floor of the works through the five large sieves. <lb/></s> |
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| | <s>When this has been gathered into a heap, the washer throws it into the head <lb/>of the buddle, and water is poured upon it through the pipe or small trough, <lb/>and the portion which sinks and settles in the middle of the head compart­<lb/>ment he stirs with a wooden scrubber,—this is what we will henceforth call <lb/>the implement made of a stick to which is fixed a piece of wood a foot long <lb/>and a palm broad. </s> |
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| | <s>The water is made turbid by this stirring, and carries <lb/>the mud and sand and small particles of metal into the buddle below. <lb/></s> |
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| <s>The water is made turbid by this stirring, and carries <lb/>the mud and sand and small particles of metal into the buddle below. <lb/>Together with the broken rock, the larger metallic particles remain in the <lb/>head compartment, and when these have been removed, boys throw them upon <lb/>the platform of a washing tank or the short strake, and separate them from <lb/>the broken rock. </s> | <s>Together with the broken rock, the larger metallic particles remain in the <lb/>head compartment, and when these have been removed, boys throw them upon <lb/>the platform of a washing tank or the short strake, and separate them from <lb/>the broken rock. </s> |
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| <s>When the buddle is full of mud and sand, the washer closes <lb/>the pipe through which the water flows into the head; very soon the <lb/>water which remains in the buddle flows away, and when this has taken </s></p><figure></figure><p type="caption"> | <s>When the buddle is full of mud and sand, the washer closes <lb/>the pipe through which the water flows into the head; very soon the <lb/>water which remains in the buddle flows away, and when this has taken </s></p><figure></figure><p type="caption"> |
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| |
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| <s>The <lb/>larger tin-stone particles, which sink in the upper part of the buddle, <lb/>are washed separately in a strake; those particles which are of medium <lb/>size, and settle in the middle part, are washed separately in the same way; <lb/>and the mud mixed with minute particles of tin-stone, which has settled in <lb/>the lowest part of the buddle below the fir boughs, is washed separately on <lb/>the canvas strakes.</s></p><p type="main"> | <s>The <lb/>larger tin-stone particles, which sink in the upper part of the buddle, <lb/>are washed separately in a strake; those particles which are of medium <lb/>size, and settle in the middle part, are washed separately in the same way; <lb/>and the mud mixed with minute particles of tin-stone, which has settled in <lb/>the lowest part of the buddle below the fir boughs, is washed separately on <lb/>the canvas strakes.</s></p><p type="main"> |
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| <s>The divided buddle differs from the last one by having several cross­<lb/>boards, which, being placed inside it, divide it off like steps; if the buddle <lb/>is twelve feet long, four of them are placed within; if nine feet long, three. <lb/>The nearer each one is to the head, the greater is its height; the further from <lb/>the head, the lower it is; and so when the highest is a foot and a palm high, </s></p><figure></figure><p type="caption"> | <s>The divided buddle differs from the last one by having several cross­<lb/>boards, which, being placed inside it, divide it off like steps; if the buddle <lb/>is twelve feet long, four of them are placed within; if nine feet long, three. <lb/></s> |
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| | <s>The nearer each one is to the head, the greater is its height; the further from <lb/>the head, the lower it is; and so when the highest is a foot and a palm high, </s></p><figure></figure><p type="caption"> |
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| <s>A—PIPE. B—CROSS LAUNDER. C—SMALL TROUGHS. D—HEAD OF THE BUDDLE. <lb/>E—WOODEN SCRUBBER. F—DIVIDING BOARDS. G—SHORT STRAKE.<pb pagenum="303"/>the second is usually a foot and three digits high, the third a foot and two <lb/>digits, and the lowest a foot and one digit. </s> | <s>A—PIPE. B—CROSS LAUNDER. C—SMALL TROUGHS. D—HEAD OF THE BUDDLE. <lb/>E—WOODEN SCRUBBER. F—DIVIDING BOARDS. G—SHORT STRAKE.<pb pagenum="303"/>the second is usually a foot and three digits high, the third a foot and two <lb/>digits, and the lowest a foot and one digit. </s> |
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| <s>A—HEAD B—STRAKE. C—TROWEL. D—SCRUBBER. E—CANVAS F—ROD BY <lb/>WHICH THE CANVAS IS MADE SMOOTH.<pb pagenum="304"/>and a breadth of a foot and a half; it is connected with a transverse launder, <lb/>which then extends to a settling pit outside the building. </s> | <s>A—HEAD B—STRAKE. C—TROWEL. D—SCRUBBER. E—CANVAS F—ROD BY <lb/>WHICH THE CANVAS IS MADE SMOOTH.<pb pagenum="304"/>and a breadth of a foot and a half; it is connected with a transverse launder, <lb/>which then extends to a settling pit outside the building. </s> |
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| <s>A boy with <lb/>a shovel or a ladle takes the impure concentrates or impure tin-stone from a <lb/>heap, and throws them into the head of the strake or spreads them over it. <lb/>A washer with a wooden scrubber then agitates them in the strake, whereby <lb/>the mud mixed with water flows away into the transverse launder, and the <lb/>concentrates or the tin-stone settle on the strake. </s> | <s>A boy with <lb/>a shovel or a ladle takes the impure concentrates or impure tin-stone from a <lb/>heap, and throws them into the head of the strake or spreads them over it. <lb/></s> |
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| | <s>A washer with a wooden scrubber then agitates them in the strake, whereby <lb/>the mud mixed with water flows away into the transverse launder, and the <lb/>concentrates or the tin-stone settle on the strake. </s> |
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| <s>Since sometimes the <lb/>concentrates or fine tin-stone flow down together with the mud into the <lb/>transverse launder, a second washer closes it, after a distance of about six feet, <lb/>with a cross-board and frequently stirs the mud with a shovel, in order that <lb/>when mixed with water it may flow out into the settling-pit; and there <lb/>remains in the launder only the concentrates or tin-stone. </s> | <s>Since sometimes the <lb/>concentrates or fine tin-stone flow down together with the mud into the <lb/>transverse launder, a second washer closes it, after a distance of about six feet, <lb/>with a cross-board and frequently stirs the mud with a shovel, in order that <lb/>when mixed with water it may flow out into the settling-pit; and there <lb/>remains in the launder only the concentrates or tin-stone. </s> |
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| |
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| <s>Penetrating the pole is a small round piece of wood, three palms <lb/>long and as many digits thick, to which is affixed a small board two feet <lb/>long and five digits wide, in an opening of which one end of a small axle <lb/>revolves, and to this axle is fixed the handle of a little scrubber. </s> | <s>Penetrating the pole is a small round piece of wood, three palms <lb/>long and as many digits thick, to which is affixed a small board two feet <lb/>long and five digits wide, in an opening of which one end of a small axle <lb/>revolves, and to this axle is fixed the handle of a little scrubber. </s> |
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| <s>The other <lb/>end of this axle turns in an opening of a second board, which is likewise fixed <lb/>to a small round piece of wood; this round piece, like the first one, is three <lb/>palms long and as many digits thick, and is used by the washer as a handle. <lb/>The little scrubber is made of a stick three feet long, to the end of which is <lb/>fixed a small tablet of wood a foot long, six digits broad, and a digit and a <lb/>half thick. </s> | <s>The other <lb/>end of this axle turns in an opening of a second board, which is likewise fixed <lb/>to a small round piece of wood; this round piece, like the first one, is three <lb/>palms long and as many digits thick, and is used by the washer as a handle. <lb/></s> |
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| | <s>The little scrubber is made of a stick three feet long, to the end of which is <lb/>fixed a small tablet of wood a foot long, six digits broad, and a digit and a <lb/>half thick. </s> |
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| <s>The washer constantly moves the handle of this implement <lb/>with one hand; in this way the little scrubber stirs the concentrates or <lb/>the fine tin-stone mixed with mud in the head of the strake, and the mud, on <lb/>being stirred, flows on to the strake. </s> | <s>The washer constantly moves the handle of this implement <lb/>with one hand; in this way the little scrubber stirs the concentrates or <lb/>the fine tin-stone mixed with mud in the head of the strake, and the mud, on <lb/>being stirred, flows on to the strake. </s> |
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| |
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| <s>A—UPPER CROSS LAUNDER. B—SMALL LAUNDERS. C—HEADS OF STRAKES. <lb/>D—STRAKES. E—LOWER TRANSVERSE LAUNDER. F—SETTLING PIT. G—SOCKET <lb/>IN THE SILL. H—HALVED IRON RINGS FIXED TO BEAM. I—POLE. K—ITS LITTLE <lb/>SCRUBRER. L—SECOND SMALL SCRUBBER.<pb pagenum="306"/>little scrubber, which has a handle of half the length, and with this he cease­<lb/>lessly stirs the concentrates or tin-stone which have settled in the upper <lb/>part of the strake; in this way the mud and water flow down into the <lb/>transverse launder, and from it into the settling-pit which is outside the <lb/>building.</s></p><p type="main"> | <s>A—UPPER CROSS LAUNDER. B—SMALL LAUNDERS. C—HEADS OF STRAKES. <lb/>D—STRAKES. E—LOWER TRANSVERSE LAUNDER. F—SETTLING PIT. G—SOCKET <lb/>IN THE SILL. H—HALVED IRON RINGS FIXED TO BEAM. I—POLE. K—ITS LITTLE <lb/>SCRUBRER. L—SECOND SMALL SCRUBBER.<pb pagenum="306"/>little scrubber, which has a handle of half the length, and with this he cease­<lb/>lessly stirs the concentrates or tin-stone which have settled in the upper <lb/>part of the strake; in this way the mud and water flow down into the <lb/>transverse launder, and from it into the settling-pit which is outside the <lb/>building.</s></p><p type="main"> |
| | |
| <s>Before the short strake and the jigging-sieve had been invented, metallifer­<lb/>ous ores, especially tin, were crushed dry with stamps and washed in a large <lb/>trough hollowed out of one or two tree trunks; and at the head of this trough <lb/>was a platform, on which the ore was thrown after being completely crushed. <lb/>The washer pulled it down into the trough with a wooden scrubber which <lb/>had a long handle, and when the water had been let into the trough, he stirred <lb/>the ore with the same scrubber.</s></p><figure></figure><p type="caption"> | <s>Before the short strake and the jigging-sieve had been invented, metallifer­<lb/>ous ores, especially tin, were crushed dry with stamps and washed in a large <lb/>trough hollowed out of one or two tree trunks; and at the head of this trough <lb/>was a platform, on which the ore was thrown after being completely crushed. <lb/></s> |
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| | <s>The washer pulled it down into the trough with a wooden scrubber which <lb/>had a long handle, and when the water had been let into the trough, he stirred <lb/>the ore with the same scrubber.</s></p><figure></figure><p type="caption"> |
| | |
| <s>A—TROUGH. B—PLATFORM. C—WOODEN SCRUBBER.</s></p><p type="main"> | <s>A—TROUGH. B—PLATFORM. C—WOODEN SCRUBBER.</s></p><p type="main"> |
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| |
| | |
| <s>The first of them occupies <lb/>the lowest division, and the second is so laid as to slightly overlap it; on </s></p><pb pagenum="308"/><figure></figure><p type="caption"> | <s>The first of them occupies <lb/>the lowest division, and the second is so laid as to slightly overlap it; on </s></p><pb pagenum="308"/><figure></figure><p type="caption"> |
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| <s>A—BEAMS. B—CANVAS. C—HEAD OF STRAKE. D—SMALL LAUNDER. E—SETTLING <lb/>PIT OR TANK. F—WOODEN SCRUBBER. G—TUBS.<lb/>the second division, the third is similarly laid, and so on, one on the other. <lb/>If they are laid in the opposite way, the water flowing down carries the <lb/>concentrates or particles of tin-stone under the canvas, and a useless task <lb/>is attempted. </s> | <s>A—BEAMS. B—CANVAS. C—HEAD OF STRAKE. D—SMALL LAUNDER. E—SETTLING <lb/>PIT OR TANK. F—WOODEN SCRUBBER. G—TUBS.<lb/>the second division, the third is similarly laid, and so on, one on the other. <lb/></s> |
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| | <s>If they are laid in the opposite way, the water flowing down carries the <lb/>concentrates or particles of tin-stone under the canvas, and a useless task <lb/>is attempted. </s> |
| | |
| <s>Boys or men throw the concentrates or tin-stuff mixed with <lb/>mud into the head of the strake, after the canvas has been thus stretched, <lb/>and having opened the small launder they let the water flow in; then <lb/>they stir the concentrates or tin-stone with a wooden scrubber till the water <lb/>carries them all on to the canvas; next they gently sweep the linen with <lb/>the wooden scrubber until the mud flows into the settling-pit or into the <lb/>transverse launder. </s> | <s>Boys or men throw the concentrates or tin-stuff mixed with <lb/>mud into the head of the strake, after the canvas has been thus stretched, <lb/>and having opened the small launder they let the water flow in; then <lb/>they stir the concentrates or tin-stone with a wooden scrubber till the water <lb/>carries them all on to the canvas; next they gently sweep the linen with <lb/>the wooden scrubber until the mud flows into the settling-pit or into the <lb/>transverse launder. </s> |
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| |
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| <s>The jigging sieve has recently come into use by miners. </s> | <s>The jigging sieve has recently come into use by miners. </s> |
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| <s>The <lb/>metalliferous material is thrown into it and sifted in a tub nearly full of water. <lb/>The sieve is shaken up and down, and by this movement all the material <lb/>below the size of a pea passes through into the tub, and the rest remains on the <lb/>bottom of the sieve. </s> | <s>The <lb/>metalliferous material is thrown into it and sifted in a tub nearly full of water. <lb/></s> |
| | |
| | <s>The sieve is shaken up and down, and by this movement all the material <lb/>below the size of a pea passes through into the tub, and the rest remains on the <lb/>bottom of the sieve. </s> |
| | |
| <s>This residue is of two kinds, the metallic particles, <lb/>which occupy the lower place, and the particles of rock and earth, which <lb/>take the higher place, because the heavy substance always settles, and the <lb/>light is borne upward by the force of the water. </s> | <s>This residue is of two kinds, the metallic particles, <lb/>which occupy the lower place, and the particles of rock and earth, which <lb/>take the higher place, because the heavy substance always settles, and the <lb/>light is borne upward by the force of the water. </s> |
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| <s>This light material is taken <lb/>away with a limp, which is a thin tablet of wood almost semicircular in <lb/>shape, three-quarters of a foot long, and half a foot wide. </s> | <s>This light material is taken <lb/>away with a limp, which is a thin tablet of wood almost semicircular in <lb/>shape, three-quarters of a foot long, and half a foot wide. </s> |
| | |
| <s>Before the <lb/>lighter portion is taken away the contents of the sieve are generally divided <lb/>crosswise with a limp, to enable the water to penetrate into it more quickly. <lb/>Afterward fresh material is again thrown into the sieve and shaken up and <lb/>down, and when a great quantity of metallic particles have settled in the sieve, <lb/>they are taken out and put into a tray close by. </s> | <s>Before the <lb/>lighter portion is taken away the contents of the sieve are generally divided <lb/>crosswise with a limp, to enable the water to penetrate into it more quickly. <lb/></s> |
| | |
| | <s>Afterward fresh material is again thrown into the sieve and shaken up and <lb/>down, and when a great quantity of metallic particles have settled in the sieve, <lb/>they are taken out and put into a tray close by. </s> |
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| <s>But since there fall into <lb/>the tub with the mud, not only particles of gold or silver, but also of sand, <lb/>pyrites, <emph type="italics"/>cadmia,<emph.end type="italics"/> galena, quartz, and other substances, and since the <lb/>water cannot separate these from the metallic particles because they are all <lb/>heavy, this muddy mixture is washed a second time, and the part which is <lb/>useless is thrown away. </s> | <s>But since there fall into <lb/>the tub with the mud, not only particles of gold or silver, but also of sand, <lb/>pyrites, <emph type="italics"/>cadmia,<emph.end type="italics"/> galena, quartz, and other substances, and since the <lb/>water cannot separate these from the metallic particles because they are all <lb/>heavy, this muddy mixture is washed a second time, and the part which is <lb/>useless is thrown away. </s> |
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| <s>To prevent the sieve passing this sand again too <lb/>quickly, the washer lays small stones or gravel in the bottom of the sieve. <lb/>However, if the sieve is not shaken straight up and down, but is tilted to one <lb/>side, the small stones or broken ore move from one part to another, and the <lb/>metallic material again falls into the tub, and the operation is frustrated. <lb/>The miners of our country have made an even finer sieve, which does not <lb/>fail even with unskilled washers; in washing with this sieve they have no <lb/>need for the bottom to be strewn with small stones. </s> | <s>To prevent the sieve passing this sand again too <lb/>quickly, the washer lays small stones or gravel in the bottom of the sieve. <lb/></s> |
| | |
| | <s>However, if the sieve is not shaken straight up and down, but is tilted to one <lb/>side, the small stones or broken ore move from one part to another, and the <lb/>metallic material again falls into the tub, and the operation is frustrated. <lb/></s> |
| | |
| | <s>The miners of our country have made an even finer sieve, which does not <lb/>fail even with unskilled washers; in washing with this sieve they have no <lb/>need for the bottom to be strewn with small stones. </s> |
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| <s>By this method the mud <lb/>settles in the tub with the very fine metallic particles, and the larger sizes of <lb/>metal remain in the sieve and are covered with the valueless sand, and this <lb/>is taken away with a limp. </s> | <s>By this method the mud <lb/>settles in the tub with the very fine metallic particles, and the larger sizes of <lb/>metal remain in the sieve and are covered with the valueless sand, and this <lb/>is taken away with a limp. </s> |
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| <s>That is called “wet ore” which is softened by <lb/>water which flows into the mortar box, and they are sometimes called “wet <lb/>stamps” because they are drenched by the same water; and on the other hand, the <lb/>other kinds are called “dry stamps” or “dry ore,” because no water is used <lb/>to soften the ore when the stamps are crushing. </s> | <s>That is called “wet ore” which is softened by <lb/>water which flows into the mortar box, and they are sometimes called “wet <lb/>stamps” because they are drenched by the same water; and on the other hand, the <lb/>other kinds are called “dry stamps” or “dry ore,” because no water is used <lb/>to soften the ore when the stamps are crushing. </s> |
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| <s>But to return to our subject. <lb/>This machine is not dissimilar to the one which crushes the ore with dry <lb/>iron-shod stamps, but the heads of the wet stamps are larger by half than the <lb/>heads of the others. </s> | <s>But to return to our subject. <lb/></s> |
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| | <s>This machine is not dissimilar to the one which crushes the ore with dry <lb/>iron-shod stamps, but the heads of the wet stamps are larger by half than the <lb/>heads of the others. </s> |
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| <s>The mortar-box, which is made of oak or beech timber, is <lb/>set up in the space between the upright posts; it does not open in front, but <lb/>at one end, and it is three feet long, three-quarters of a foot wide, and one foot <lb/>and six digits deep. </s> | <s>The mortar-box, which is made of oak or beech timber, is <lb/>set up in the space between the upright posts; it does not open in front, but <lb/>at one end, and it is three feet long, three-quarters of a foot wide, and one foot <lb/>and six digits deep. </s> |
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| |
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| <s>When tin ore is crushed by this kind of iron-shod stamps, as soon as <lb/>crushing begins, the launder which extends from the screen discharges the <lb/>water carrying the fine tin-stone and fine sand into a transverse trough, <lb/>from which the water flows down through the spouts, which pierce the side of <lb/>the trough, into the one or other of the large buddles set underneath. </s> | <s>When tin ore is crushed by this kind of iron-shod stamps, as soon as <lb/>crushing begins, the launder which extends from the screen discharges the <lb/>water carrying the fine tin-stone and fine sand into a transverse trough, <lb/>from which the water flows down through the spouts, which pierce the side of <lb/>the trough, into the one or other of the large buddles set underneath. </s> |
| | |
| <s>The <lb/>reason why there are two is that, while the washer empties the one which is <lb/>filled with fine tin-stone and sand, the material may flow into the other. <lb/>Each buddle is twelve feet long, one cubit deep, and a foot and a half broad. <lb/>The tin-stone which settles in the upper part of the buddles is called the <lb/>large size; these are frequently stirred with a shovel, in order that the <lb/>medium sized particles of tin-stone, and the mud mixed with the very fine </s></p><pb pagenum="313"/><figure></figure><p type="caption"> | <s>The <lb/>reason why there are two is that, while the washer empties the one which is <lb/>filled with fine tin-stone and sand, the material may flow into the other. <lb/></s> |
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| | <s>Each buddle is twelve feet long, one cubit deep, and a foot and a half broad. <lb/></s> |
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| | <s>The tin-stone which settles in the upper part of the buddles is called the <lb/>large size; these are frequently stirred with a shovel, in order that the <lb/>medium sized particles of tin-stone, and the mud mixed with the very fine </s></p><pb pagenum="313"/><figure></figure><p type="caption"> |
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| <s>A—MORTAR. B—OPEN END OF MORTAR. C—SLAB OF ROCK. D—IRON SOLE PLATES. <lb/>E—SCREEN. F—LAUNDER. G—WOODEN SHOVEL. H—SETTLING PIT. I—IRON <lb/>SHOVEL. K—HEAP OF MATERIAL WHICH HAS SETTLED. L—ORE WHICH REQUIRES <lb/>CRUSHING. M—SMALL LAUNDER.<pb pagenum="314"/>particles of the stones may flow away. </s> | <s>A—MORTAR. B—OPEN END OF MORTAR. C—SLAB OF ROCK. D—IRON SOLE PLATES. <lb/>E—SCREEN. F—LAUNDER. G—WOODEN SHOVEL. H—SETTLING PIT. I—IRON <lb/>SHOVEL. K—HEAP OF MATERIAL WHICH HAS SETTLED. L—ORE WHICH REQUIRES <lb/>CRUSHING. M—SMALL LAUNDER.<pb pagenum="314"/>particles of the stones may flow away. </s> |
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| |
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| <s>The tin-stone <lb/>of large size is removed separately from the buddle with a shovel; those <lb/>of medium size are also removed separately, and likewise the mud is removed <lb/>separately, for they are separately washed on the canvas strakes and on <lb/>the ordinary strake, and separately roasted and smelted. </s> | <s>The tin-stone <lb/>of large size is removed separately from the buddle with a shovel; those <lb/>of medium size are also removed separately, and likewise the mud is removed <lb/>separately, for they are separately washed on the canvas strakes and on <lb/>the ordinary strake, and separately roasted and smelted. </s> |
| | |
| <s>The tin-stone <lb/>which has settled in the middle part of the buddle, is also always washed <lb/>separately on the canvas strakes; but if the particles are nearly equal in size <lb/>to those which have settled in the upper part of the buddle, they are washed <lb/>with them in the ordinary strake and are roasted and smelted with them. <lb/>However, the mud is never washed with the others, either on the canvas <lb/>strakes or on the ordinary strake, but separately, and the fine tin-stone which <lb/>is obtained from it is roasted and smelted separately. </s> | <s>The tin-stone <lb/>which has settled in the middle part of the buddle, is also always washed <lb/>separately on the canvas strakes; but if the particles are nearly equal in size <lb/>to those which have settled in the upper part of the buddle, they are washed <lb/>with them in the ordinary strake and are roasted and smelted with them. <lb/></s> |
| | |
| | <s>However, the mud is never washed with the others, either on the canvas <lb/>strakes or on the ordinary strake, but separately, and the fine tin-stone which <lb/>is obtained from it is roasted and smelted separately. </s> |
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| <s>The two large buddles <lb/>discharge into a cross trough, and it again empties through a launder into <lb/>a settling-pit which is outside the building.</s></p><figure></figure><p type="caption"> | <s>The two large buddles <lb/>discharge into a cross trough, and it again empties through a launder into <lb/>a settling-pit which is outside the building.</s></p><figure></figure><p type="caption"> |
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| |
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| <s>At one side of each weir there <lb/>is an area dug out to a depth of five or six or seven feet, and if the nature of </s></p><pb pagenum="317"/><figure></figure><p type="caption"> | <s>At one side of each weir there <lb/>is an area dug out to a depth of five or six or seven feet, and if the nature of </s></p><pb pagenum="317"/><figure></figure><p type="caption"> |
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| <s>A—LAUNDER FROM THE SCREEN OF THE MORTAR-BOX. B—THREE-TOOTHED RAKE. <lb/>C—SMALI. SETTLING-PIT. D—CANVAS. E—STRAKES. F—BROOMS.<pb pagenum="318"/>the place will permit, extending in every direction more than sixty feet. <lb/>Thus, when the water of the river or stream in autumn and winter inundates <lb/>the land, the gates of the weir are closed, by which means the current carries <lb/>the mud mixed with fine tin-stone into the area. </s> | <s>A—LAUNDER FROM THE SCREEN OF THE MORTAR-BOX. B—THREE-TOOTHED RAKE. <lb/>C—SMALI. SETTLING-PIT. D—CANVAS. E—STRAKES. F—BROOMS.<pb pagenum="318"/>the place will permit, extending in every direction more than sixty feet. <lb/></s> |
| | |
| | <s>Thus, when the water of the river or stream in autumn and winter inundates <lb/>the land, the gates of the weir are closed, by which means the current carries <lb/>the mud mixed with fine tin-stone into the area. </s> |
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| <s>In spring and summer <lb/>this mud is washed on the canvas strakes or on the ordinary strake, and <lb/>even the finest black-tin is collected. </s> | <s>In spring and summer <lb/>this mud is washed on the canvas strakes or on the ordinary strake, and <lb/>even the finest black-tin is collected. </s> |
| | |
| <s>Within a distance of four thousand <lb/>fathoms along the bed of the stream or river below the buildings in which <lb/>the tin-stuff is washed, the miners do not make such weirs, but put inclined <lb/>fences in the meadows, and in front of each fence they dig a ditch of the <lb/>same length, so that the mud mixed with the fine tin-stone, carried along by the <lb/>stream or river when in flood, may settle in the ditch and cling to the fence. <lb/>When this mud is collected, it is likewise washed on canvas strakes and on <lb/>the ordinary strake, in order that the fine tin-stone may be separated from <lb/>it. </s> | <s>Within a distance of four thousand <lb/>fathoms along the bed of the stream or river below the buildings in which <lb/>the tin-stuff is washed, the miners do not make such weirs, but put inclined <lb/>fences in the meadows, and in front of each fence they dig a ditch of the <lb/>same length, so that the mud mixed with the fine tin-stone, carried along by the <lb/>stream or river when in flood, may settle in the ditch and cling to the fence. <lb/></s> |
| | |
| | <s>When this mud is collected, it is likewise washed on canvas strakes and on <lb/>the ordinary strake, in order that the fine tin-stone may be separated from <lb/>it. </s> |
| | |
| <s>Indeed we may see many such areas and fences collecting mud of this <lb/>kind in Meissen below Altenberg in the river Moglitz,—which is always of a <lb/>reddish colour when the rock containing the black tin is being crushed under <lb/>the stamps.</s></p><figure></figure><p type="caption"> | <s>Indeed we may see many such areas and fences collecting mud of this <lb/>kind in Meissen below Altenberg in the river Moglitz,—which is always of a <lb/>reddish colour when the rock containing the black tin is being crushed under <lb/>the stamps.</s></p><figure></figure><p type="caption"> |
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| |
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| <s>By this plan it is necessary that the current which has been <lb/>diverted should fall down from a greater height upon the upper water­<lb/>wheels, because these turn axles whose cams raise heavier stamps. </s> | <s>By this plan it is necessary that the current which has been <lb/>diverted should fall down from a greater height upon the upper water­<lb/>wheels, because these turn axles whose cams raise heavier stamps. </s> |
| | |
| <s>The <lb/>stamp-stems of the upper machines should be nearly twice as long as the stems <lb/>of the lower ones, because all the mortar-boxes are placed on the same level. <lb/>These stamps have their tappets near their upper ends, not as in the case of <lb/>the lower stamps, which are placed just above the bottom. </s> | <s>The <lb/>stamp-stems of the upper machines should be nearly twice as long as the stems <lb/>of the lower ones, because all the mortar-boxes are placed on the same level. <lb/></s> |
| | |
| | <s>These stamps have their tappets near their upper ends, not as in the case of <lb/>the lower stamps, which are placed just above the bottom. </s> |
| | |
| <s>The water flowing <lb/>down from the two upper water-wheels is caught in two broad races, from <lb/>which it falls on to the two lower water-wheels. </s> | <s>The water flowing <lb/>down from the two upper water-wheels is caught in two broad races, from <lb/>which it falls on to the two lower water-wheels. </s> |
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| |
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| <s>In this plank there are many cup-like depressions equal in size and <lb/>similar in shape, in each of which an egg could be placed. </s> | <s>In this plank there are many cup-like depressions equal in size and <lb/>similar in shape, in each of which an egg could be placed. </s> |
| | |
| <s>Right down in <lb/>these depressions are small crevices which can retain the concentrates of gold <lb/>or silver, and when the hollows are nearly filled with these materials, the <lb/>plank is raised on one side so that the concentrates will fall into a large bowl. <lb/>The cup-like depressions are washed out by dashing them with water. </s> | <s>Right down in <lb/>these depressions are small crevices which can retain the concentrates of gold <lb/>or silver, and when the hollows are nearly filled with these materials, the <lb/>plank is raised on one side so that the concentrates will fall into a large bowl. <lb/></s> |
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| | <s>The cup-like depressions are washed out by dashing them with water. </s> |
| | |
| <s>These </s></p><pb pagenum="320"/><figure></figure><p type="caption"> | <s>These </s></p><pb pagenum="320"/><figure></figure><p type="caption"> |
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| |
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| <s>A—PLANK. B—SIDE-BOARDS. C—IRON WIRE. D—HANDLES.<pb pagenum="325"/>cling to the coverings. </s> | <s>A—PLANK. B—SIDE-BOARDS. C—IRON WIRE. D—HANDLES.<pb pagenum="325"/>cling to the coverings. </s> |
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| <s>Pockets are made in various ways, either with iron <lb/>wire or small cross-boards fixed to the frame, or by holes which are sunk <lb/>into the sluice itself or into its head, but which do not quite go through. <lb/>These holes are round or square, or are grooves running crosswise. </s> | <s>Pockets are made in various ways, either with iron <lb/>wire or small cross-boards fixed to the frame, or by holes which are sunk <lb/>into the sluice itself or into its head, but which do not quite go through. <lb/></s> |
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| | <s>These holes are round or square, or are grooves running crosswise. </s> |
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| <s>The <lb/>frames are either covered with skins, pieces of cloth, or turf, which I will <lb/>deal with one by one in turn.</s></p><p type="main"> | <s>The <lb/>frames are either covered with skins, pieces of cloth, or turf, which I will <lb/>deal with one by one in turn.</s></p><p type="main"> |
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| |
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| <s>After all the water has <lb/>passed out of the settling-pit, the sand and mud are carried away and washed <lb/>over again in the same manner. </s> | <s>After all the water has <lb/>passed out of the settling-pit, the sand and mud are carried away and washed <lb/>over again in the same manner. </s> |
| | |
| <s>The particles which have clung to the turf <lb/>are afterward washed down into the settling-pit or trough by a stronger <lb/>current of the water, which is let into the frame through a small launder. <lb/>The concentrates are finally collected and washed in a bowl. </s> | <s>The particles which have clung to the turf <lb/>are afterward washed down into the settling-pit or trough by a stronger <lb/>current of the water, which is let into the frame through a small launder. <lb/></s> |
| | |
| | <s>The concentrates are finally collected and washed in a bowl. </s> |
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| <s>Pliny was not <lb/>ignorant of this method of washing gold. </s> | <s>Pliny was not <lb/>ignorant of this method of washing gold. </s> |
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| |
| | |
| <s>In this way the fine sand <lb/>is washed, whether it contains particles of gold or the little black stones from <lb/>which tin is made.</s></p><p type="main"> | <s>In this way the fine sand <lb/>is washed, whether it contains particles of gold or the little black stones from <lb/>which tin is made.</s></p><p type="main"> |
| | |
| <s>The Italians who come to the German mountains seeking gold, in order <lb/>to wash the river sand which contains gold-dust and garnets,<emph type="sup"/>19<emph.end type="sup"/> use a fairly <lb/>long shallow trough hewn out of a tree, rounded within and without, open <lb/>at one end and closed at the other, which they turn in the bed of the stream <lb/>in such a way that the water does not dash into it, but flows in gently. <lb/>They stir the sand, which they throw into it, with a wooden hoe, also <lb/>rounded. </s> | <s>The Italians who come to the German mountains seeking gold, in order <lb/>to wash the river sand which contains gold-dust and garnets,<emph type="sup"/>19<emph.end type="sup"/> use a fairly <lb/>long shallow trough hewn out of a tree, rounded within and without, open <lb/>at one end and closed at the other, which they turn in the bed of the stream <lb/>in such a way that the water does not dash into it, but flows in gently. <lb/></s> |
| | |
| | <s>They stir the sand, which they throw into it, with a wooden hoe, also <lb/>rounded. </s> |
| | |
| <s>To prevent the particles of gold or garnets from running out with <lb/>the light sand, they close the end with a board similarly rounded, but lower <lb/>than the sides of the trough. </s> | <s>To prevent the particles of gold or garnets from running out with <lb/>the light sand, they close the end with a board similarly rounded, but lower <lb/>than the sides of the trough. </s> |
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| |
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| <s>A—TROUGH. B—ITS OPEN END. C—END THAT MAY BE CLOSED. D—STREAM. <lb/>E—HOE. F—END-BOARD. G—BAG.<lb/>with a small quantity of heavy sand, have settled in the trough, they wash <lb/>in a bowl and collect in bags and carry away with them.</s></p><p type="main"> | <s>A—TROUGH. B—ITS OPEN END. C—END THAT MAY BE CLOSED. D—STREAM. <lb/>E—HOE. F—END-BOARD. G—BAG.<lb/>with a small quantity of heavy sand, have settled in the trough, they wash <lb/>in a bowl and collect in bags and carry away with them.</s></p><p type="main"> |
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| <s>Some people wash this kind of sand in a large bowl which can easily be <lb/>shaken, the bowl being suspended by two ropes from a beam in a building. <lb/>The sand is thrown into it, water is poured in, then the bowl is shaken, and <lb/>the muddy water is poured out and clear water is again poured in, this being <lb/>done again and again. </s> | <s>Some people wash this kind of sand in a large bowl which can easily be <lb/>shaken, the bowl being suspended by two ropes from a beam in a building. <lb/></s> |
| | |
| | <s>The sand is thrown into it, water is poured in, then the bowl is shaken, and <lb/>the muddy water is poured out and clear water is again poured in, this being <lb/>done again and again. </s> |
| | |
| <s>In this way, the gold particles settle in the back part <lb/>of the bowl because they are heavy, and the sand in the front part because it <lb/>is light; the latter is thrown away, the former kept for smelting. </s> | <s>In this way, the gold particles settle in the back part <lb/>of the bowl because they are heavy, and the sand in the front part because it <lb/>is light; the latter is thrown away, the former kept for smelting. </s> |
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| |
| | |
| <s>Into the ditch is thrown the metallic material, together with the <lb/>surface material, which is six feet thick, more or less, and often contains moss, <lb/>roots of plants, shrubs, trees, and earth; they are all thrown in with a broad <lb/>mattock, and the water flows through the ditch. </s> | <s>Into the ditch is thrown the metallic material, together with the <lb/>surface material, which is six feet thick, more or less, and often contains moss, <lb/>roots of plants, shrubs, trees, and earth; they are all thrown in with a broad <lb/>mattock, and the water flows through the ditch. </s> |
| | |
| <s>The sand and tin-stone, as <lb/>they are heavy, sink to the bottom of the ditch, while the moss and roots, as <lb/>they are light, are carried away by the water which flows through the ditch. <lb/>The bottom of the ditch is obstructed with turf and stones in order to prevent <lb/>the water from carrying away the tin-stone at the same time. </s> | <s>The sand and tin-stone, as <lb/>they are heavy, sink to the bottom of the ditch, while the moss and roots, as <lb/>they are light, are carried away by the water which flows through the ditch. <lb/></s> |
| | |
| | <s>The bottom of the ditch is obstructed with turf and stones in order to prevent <lb/>the water from carrying away the tin-stone at the same time. </s> |
| | |
| <s>The washers, <lb/>whose feet are covered with high boots made of hide, though not of rawhide, <lb/>themselves stand in the ditch and throw out of it the roots of the trees, <lb/>shrubs, and grass with seven-pronged wooden forks, and push back the tin­<lb/>stone toward the head of the ditch. </s> | <s>The washers, <lb/>whose feet are covered with high boots made of hide, though not of rawhide, <lb/>themselves stand in the ditch and throw out of it the roots of the trees, <lb/>shrubs, and grass with seven-pronged wooden forks, and push back the tin­<lb/>stone toward the head of the ditch. </s> |
| | |
| |
| | |
| <s>Afterward they return to their task, which they <lb/>continue until the metalliferous material is exhausted, or until the water can <lb/>no longer be diverted into the ditches.</s></p><p type="main"> | <s>Afterward they return to their task, which they <lb/>continue until the metalliferous material is exhausted, or until the water can <lb/>no longer be diverted into the ditches.</s></p><p type="main"> |
| | |
| <s>The trough which I mentioned is hewn out of the trunk of a tree and the <lb/>interior is five feet long, three-quarters of a foot deep, and six digits wide. <lb/>It is placed on an incline and under it is put a tub which contains interwoven <lb/>fir twigs, or else another trough is put under it, the interior of which is three <lb/>feet long and one foot wide and deep; the fine tin-stone, which has run out <lb/>with the water, settles in the bottom. </s> | <s>The trough which I mentioned is hewn out of the trunk of a tree and the <lb/>interior is five feet long, three-quarters of a foot deep, and six digits wide. <lb/></s> |
| | |
| | <s>It is placed on an incline and under it is put a tub which contains interwoven <lb/>fir twigs, or else another trough is put under it, the interior of which is three <lb/>feet long and one foot wide and deep; the fine tin-stone, which has run out <lb/>with the water, settles in the bottom. </s> |
| | |
| <s>Some people, in place of a trough, <lb/>put a square launder underneath, and in like manner they wash the tin­<lb/>stone in this by agitating it up and down and turning it over with a small <lb/>wooden trowel. </s> | <s>Some people, in place of a trough, <lb/>put a square launder underneath, and in like manner they wash the tin­<lb/>stone in this by agitating it up and down and turning it over with a small <lb/>wooden trowel. </s> |
| | |
| <s>A transverse trough is put under the launder, which is <lb/>either open on one end and drains off into a tub or settling-pit, or else is <lb/>closed and perforated through the bottom; in this case, it drains into a <lb/>ditch beneath, where the water falls when the plug has been partly removed. <lb/>The nature of this ditch I will now describe.</s></p><p type="main"> | <s>A transverse trough is put under the launder, which is <lb/>either open on one end and drains off into a tub or settling-pit, or else is <lb/>closed and perforated through the bottom; in this case, it drains into a <lb/>ditch beneath, where the water falls when the plug has been partly removed. <lb/></s> |
| | |
| | <s>The nature of this ditch I will now describe.</s></p><p type="main"> |
| | |
| <s>If the locality does not supply an abundance of water, the washers dig a <lb/>ditch thirty or thirty-six feet long, and cover the bottom, the full length, with <lb/>logs joined together and hewn on the side which lies flat on the ground. </s> | <s>If the locality does not supply an abundance of water, the washers dig a <lb/>ditch thirty or thirty-six feet long, and cover the bottom, the full length, with <lb/>logs joined together and hewn on the side which lies flat on the ground. </s> |
| | |
| |
| | |
| <s>The <lb/>washer standing in the upper end of the ditch breaks the lumps with a seven­<lb/>pronged fork, and throws out the roots of trees, shrubs, and grass with the <lb/>same instrument, and thereby the small black stones settle down. </s> | <s>The <lb/>washer standing in the upper end of the ditch breaks the lumps with a seven­<lb/>pronged fork, and throws out the roots of trees, shrubs, and grass with the <lb/>same instrument, and thereby the small black stones settle down. </s> |
| | |
| <s>When a <lb/>large quantity of the tin-stone has accumulated, which generally happens <lb/>when the washer has spent a day at this work, to prevent it from being <lb/>washed away he places it upon the bank, and other material having been <lb/>again thrown into the upper end of the ditch, he continues the task of washing. <lb/>A boy stands at the lower end of the ditch, and with a thin pointed hoe <lb/>stirs up the sediment which has settled at the lower end, to prevent the <lb/>washed tin-stone from being carried further, which occurs when the sediment <lb/>has accumulated to such an extent that the fir branches at the outlet of the <lb/>ditch are covered.</s></p><pb pagenum="340"/><figure></figure><p type="caption"> | <s>When a <lb/>large quantity of the tin-stone has accumulated, which generally happens <lb/>when the washer has spent a day at this work, to prevent it from being <lb/>washed away he places it upon the bank, and other material having been <lb/>again thrown into the upper end of the ditch, he continues the task of washing. <lb/></s> |
| | |
| | <s>A boy stands at the lower end of the ditch, and with a thin pointed hoe <lb/>stirs up the sediment which has settled at the lower end, to prevent the <lb/>washed tin-stone from being carried further, which occurs when the sediment <lb/>has accumulated to such an extent that the fir branches at the outlet of the <lb/>ditch are covered.</s></p><pb pagenum="340"/><figure></figure><p type="caption"> |
| | |
| <s>A—LAUNDER. B—INTERLACING FIR TWIGS. C—LOGS; THREE ON ONE SIDE, FOR THE <lb/>FOURTH CANNOT BE SEEN BECAUSE THE DITCH IS SO FULL WITH MATERIAL NOW BEING <lb/>WASHED. D—LOGS AT THE HEAD OF THE DITCH. E—BARROW. F—SEVEN-PRONGED <lb/>FORK. G—HOE</s></p><p type="main"> | <s>A—LAUNDER. B—INTERLACING FIR TWIGS. C—LOGS; THREE ON ONE SIDE, FOR THE <lb/>FOURTH CANNOT BE SEEN BECAUSE THE DITCH IS SO FULL WITH MATERIAL NOW BEING <lb/>WASHED. D—LOGS AT THE HEAD OF THE DITCH. E—BARROW. F—SEVEN-PRONGED <lb/>FORK. G—HOE</s></p><p type="main"> |
| | |
| |
| | |
| <s>Next, a boy throws the metalliferous material on to the <lb/>iron plate with an iron shovel and breaks the small lumps, stirring them this <lb/>way and that with the same implement. </s> | <s>Next, a boy throws the metalliferous material on to the <lb/>iron plate with an iron shovel and breaks the small lumps, stirring them this <lb/>way and that with the same implement. </s> |
| | |
| <s>Then the water and sand penetra­<lb/>ting the holes of the plate, fall into the box, while all the coarse gravel remains <lb/>on the plate, and this he throws into a wheelbarrow with the same shovel. <lb/>Meantime, a younger boy continually stirs the sand under the plate with a <lb/>wooden scrubber nearly as wide as the box, and drives it to the upper end of <lb/>the box; the lighter material, as well as a small amount of tin-stone, is <lb/>carried by the water down into the underlying trough. </s> | <s>Then the water and sand penetra­<lb/>ting the holes of the plate, fall into the box, while all the coarse gravel remains <lb/>on the plate, and this he throws into a wheelbarrow with the same shovel. <lb/></s> |
| | |
| | <s>Meantime, a younger boy continually stirs the sand under the plate with a <lb/>wooden scrubber nearly as wide as the box, and drives it to the upper end of <lb/>the box; the lighter material, as well as a small amount of tin-stone, is <lb/>carried by the water down into the underlying trough. </s> |
| | |
| <s>The boys carry on <lb/>this labour without intermission until they have filled four wheelbarrows <lb/>with the coarse and worthless residues, which they carry off and throw away, or <lb/>three wheelbarrows if the material is rich in black tin. </s> | <s>The boys carry on <lb/>this labour without intermission until they have filled four wheelbarrows <lb/>with the coarse and worthless residues, which they carry off and throw away, or <lb/>three wheelbarrows if the material is rich in black tin. </s> |
| | |
| |
| | |
| <s>In the summer-time this fruitful <lb/>labour is repeated more often, in fact ten or eleven times. </s> | <s>In the summer-time this fruitful <lb/>labour is repeated more often, in fact ten or eleven times. </s> |
| | |
| <s>The tin-stone <lb/>which the foreman removes from the box, is afterward washed in a jigging <lb/>sieve, and lastly in a tub, where at length all the sand is separated out. <lb/>Finally, any material in which are mixed particles of other metals, can be <lb/>washed by all these methods, whether it has been disintegrated from veins or <lb/>stringers, or whether it originated from <emph type="italics"/>venae dílatatae,<emph.end type="italics"/> or from streams and <lb/>rivers.</s></p><p type="main"> | <s>The tin-stone <lb/>which the foreman removes from the box, is afterward washed in a jigging <lb/>sieve, and lastly in a tub, where at length all the sand is separated out. <lb/></s> |
| | |
| | <s>Finally, any material in which are mixed particles of other metals, can be <lb/>washed by all these methods, whether it has been disintegrated from veins or <lb/>stringers, or whether it originated from <emph type="italics"/>venae dílatatae,<emph.end type="italics"/> or from streams and <lb/>rivers.</s></p><p type="main"> |
| | |
| <s>The sixth method of washing material of this kind is even more modern <lb/>and more useful than the last. </s> | <s>The sixth method of washing material of this kind is even more modern <lb/>and more useful than the last. </s> |
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| |
| | |
| <s>A—TROUGH. B—LAUNDER. C—HOE. D—SIEVE.</s></p><p type="main"> | <s>A—TROUGH. B—LAUNDER. C—HOE. D—SIEVE.</s></p><p type="main"> |
| | |
| <s>One method of burning is principally employed, and two of roasting. <lb/>The black tin is burned by a hot fire in a furnace similar to an oven<emph type="sup"/>21<emph.end type="sup"/>; it <lb/>is burned if it is a dark-blue colour, or if pyrites and the stone from which <lb/>iron is made are mixed with it, for the dark blue colour if not burnt, consumes <lb/>the tin. </s> | <s>One method of burning is principally employed, and two of roasting. <lb/></s> |
| | |
| | <s>The black tin is burned by a hot fire in a furnace similar to an oven<emph type="sup"/>21<emph.end type="sup"/>; it <lb/>is burned if it is a dark-blue colour, or if pyrites and the stone from which <lb/>iron is made are mixed with it, for the dark blue colour if not burnt, consumes <lb/>the tin. </s> |
| | |
| | <s>If pyrites and the other stone are not volatilised into fumes in a <lb/>furnace of this kind, the tin which is made from the tin-stone is impure. <lb/></s> |
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| <s>If pyrites and the other stone are not volatilised into fumes in a <lb/>furnace of this kind, the tin which is made from the tin-stone is impure. <lb/>The tin-stone is thrown either into the back part of the furnace, or into one <lb/>side of it; but in the former case the wood is placed in front, in the latter <lb/>case alongside, in such a manner, however, that neither firebrands nor <lb/>coals may fall upon the tin-stone itself or touch it. </s> | <s>The tin-stone is thrown either into the back part of the furnace, or into one <lb/>side of it; but in the former case the wood is placed in front, in the latter <lb/>case alongside, in such a manner, however, that neither firebrands nor <lb/>coals may fall upon the tin-stone itself or touch it. </s> |
| | |
| <s>The fuel is manipulated <lb/>by a poker made of wood. </s> | <s>The fuel is manipulated <lb/>by a poker made of wood. </s> |
| | |
| <s>The tin-stone is now stirred with a rake with two <pb pagenum="349"/>teeth, and now again levelled down with a hoe, both of which are made of iron. <lb/>The very fine tin-stone requires to be burned less than that of moderate size, <lb/>and this again less than that of the largest size. </s> | <s>The tin-stone is now stirred with a rake with two <pb pagenum="349"/>teeth, and now again levelled down with a hoe, both of which are made of iron. <lb/></s> |
| | |
| | <s>The very fine tin-stone requires to be burned less than that of moderate size, <lb/>and this again less than that of the largest size. </s> |
| | |
| <s>While the tin-stone is being <lb/>thus burned, it frequently happens that some of the material runs together. </s></p><figure></figure><p type="caption"> | <s>While the tin-stone is being <lb/>thus burned, it frequently happens that some of the material runs together. </s></p><figure></figure><p type="caption"> |
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| |
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| <s>There are two doors in the second wall if there are six furnaces, one <lb/>of the doors being between the second and third furnaces and the other <lb/>between the fourth and fifth furnaces. </s> | <s>There are two doors in the second wall if there are six furnaces, one <lb/>of the doors being between the second and third furnaces and the other <lb/>between the fourth and fifth furnaces. </s> |
| | |
| <s>They are a cubit wide and six feet <lb/>high, in order that the smelters may not have mishaps in coming and going. <lb/>It is necessary to have a door to the right of the first furnace, and similarly <lb/>one to the left of the last, whether the wall is longer or not. </s> | <s>They are a cubit wide and six feet <lb/>high, in order that the smelters may not have mishaps in coming and going. <lb/></s> |
| | |
| | <s>It is necessary to have a door to the right of the first furnace, and similarly <lb/>one to the left of the last, whether the wall is longer or not. </s> |
| | |
| <s>The second <lb/>wall is carried further when the rooms for the cupellation furnaces, or any <lb/>other building, adjoin the rooms for the blast furnaces, these buildings being <lb/>only divided by a partition. </s> | <s>The second <lb/>wall is carried further when the rooms for the cupellation furnaces, or any <lb/>other building, adjoin the rooms for the blast furnaces, these buildings being <lb/>only divided by a partition. </s> |
| | |
| |
| | |
| <s>Of this I will speak later.</s></p><p type="main"> | <s>Of this I will speak later.</s></p><p type="main"> |
| | |
| <s>Buried about a cubit under the forehearth and the hearth of the furnace <lb/>is a transverse water-tank, three feet long, three palms wide and a cubit deep. <lb/>It is made of stone or brick, with a stone cover, for if it were not covered, the <lb/>heat would draw the moisture from below and the vapour might be blown <lb/>into the hearth of the furnace as well as into the forehearth, and would <lb/>dampen the blast. </s> | <s>Buried about a cubit under the forehearth and the hearth of the furnace <lb/>is a transverse water-tank, three feet long, three palms wide and a cubit deep. <lb/></s> |
| | |
| | <s>It is made of stone or brick, with a stone cover, for if it were not covered, the <lb/>heat would draw the moisture from below and the vapour might be blown <lb/>into the hearth of the furnace as well as into the forehearth, and would <lb/>dampen the blast. </s> |
| | |
| <s>The moisture would vitiate the blast, and part of the <lb/>metal would be absorbed and part would be mixed with the slags, and in <lb/>this manner the melting would be greatly damaged. </s> | <s>The moisture would vitiate the blast, and part of the <lb/>metal would be absorbed and part would be mixed with the slags, and in <lb/>this manner the melting would be greatly damaged. </s> |
| | |
| |
| | |
| <s>In this manner the front part of the building is made, and is divided into <lb/>three parts; the first part is twelve feet wide and is under the hood, which <lb/>consists of two walls, one vertical and one inclined. </s> | <s>In this manner the front part of the building is made, and is divided into <lb/>three parts; the first part is twelve feet wide and is under the hood, which <lb/>consists of two walls, one vertical and one inclined. </s> |
| | |
| <s>The second part is the <lb/>same number of feet wide and is for the reception of the ore to be smelted, <lb/>the fluxes, the charcoal, and other things which are needed by the smelter. <lb/>The third part is nine feet wide and contains two separate rooms of equal <lb/>size, in one of which is the assay furnace, while the other contains the metal <lb/>to be melted in the cupellation furnaces. </s> | <s>The second part is the <lb/>same number of feet wide and is for the reception of the ore to be smelted, <lb/>the fluxes, the charcoal, and other things which are needed by the smelter. <lb/></s> |
| | |
| | <s>The third part is nine feet wide and contains two separate rooms of equal <lb/>size, in one of which is the assay furnace, while the other contains the metal <lb/>to be melted in the cupellation furnaces. </s> |
| | |
| <s>It is thus necessary that in the <pb pagenum="362"/>building there should be, besides the four long walls, seven transverse walls, <lb/>of which the first is constructed from the upper end of the first long wall to <lb/>the upper end of the second long wall; the second proceeds from the end <lb/>of this to the end of the third long wall; the third likewise from this end of <lb/>the last extends to the end of the fourth long wall; the fourth leads from <lb/>the lower end of the first long wall to the lower end of the second long wall; <lb/>the fifth extends from the end of this to the end of the third long wall; the <lb/>sixth extends from this last end to the end of the fourth long wall; the <lb/>seventh divides into two parts the space between the third and fourth long <lb/>walls.</s></p><p type="main"> | <s>It is thus necessary that in the <pb pagenum="362"/>building there should be, besides the four long walls, seven transverse walls, <lb/>of which the first is constructed from the upper end of the first long wall to <lb/>the upper end of the second long wall; the second proceeds from the end <lb/>of this to the end of the third long wall; the third likewise from this end of <lb/>the last extends to the end of the fourth long wall; the fourth leads from <lb/>the lower end of the first long wall to the lower end of the second long wall; <lb/>the fifth extends from the end of this to the end of the third long wall; the <lb/>sixth extends from this last end to the end of the fourth long wall; the <lb/>seventh divides into two parts the space between the third and fourth long <lb/>walls.</s></p><p type="main"> |
| | |
| <s>To return to the back part of the building, in which, as I said, are the <lb/>bellows<emph type="sup"/>6<emph.end type="sup"/>, their frames, the machinery for compressing them, and the instru­<lb/>ment for distending them. </s> | <s>To return to the back part of the building, in which, as I said, are the <lb/>bellows<emph type="sup"/>6<emph.end type="sup"/>, their frames, the machinery for compressing them, and the instru­<lb/>ment for distending them. </s> |
| | |
| <s>Each bellows consists of a body and a head. <lb/>The body is composed of two “boards,” two bows, and two hides. </s> | <s>Each bellows consists of a body and a head. <lb/></s> |
| | |
| | <s>The body is composed of two “boards,” two bows, and two hides. </s> |
| | |
| <s>The <lb/>upper board is a palm thick, five feet and three palms long, and two and a half <lb/>feet wide at the back part, where each of the sides is a little curved, and it is <lb/>a cubit wide at the front part near the head. </s> | <s>The <lb/>upper board is a palm thick, five feet and three palms long, and two and a half <lb/>feet wide at the back part, where each of the sides is a little curved, and it is <lb/>a cubit wide at the front part near the head. </s> |
| | |
| |
| | |
| <s>All the posts are not placed at the same intervals, the <lb/>first being at a distance of three feet five digits from the second, and likewise <lb/>the third from the fourth, but the second is two feet one palm and three <lb/>digits from the third; the intervals between the other posts are arranged in <lb/>the same manner, equal and unequal, of which each four pertain to two <lb/>furnaces. </s> | <s>All the posts are not placed at the same intervals, the <lb/>first being at a distance of three feet five digits from the second, and likewise <lb/>the third from the fourth, but the second is two feet one palm and three <lb/>digits from the third; the intervals between the other posts are arranged in <lb/>the same manner, equal and unequal, of which each four pertain to two <lb/>furnaces. </s> |
| | |
| <s>The upper ends of these posts are mortised into a transverse <lb/>beam which is twelve feet, two palms, and three digits long, and projects <lb/>five digits beyond the first post and to the same distance beyond the fourth; <lb/>it is two palms and the same number of digits wide, and two palms thick. <lb/>Since each separate transverse beam supports four bellows, it is necessary to <lb/>have three of them.</s></p><p type="main"> | <s>The upper ends of these posts are mortised into a transverse <lb/>beam which is twelve feet, two palms, and three digits long, and projects <lb/>five digits beyond the first post and to the same distance beyond the fourth; <lb/>it is two palms and the same number of digits wide, and two palms thick. <lb/></s> |
| | |
| | <s>Since each separate transverse beam supports four bellows, it is necessary to <lb/>have three of them.</s></p><p type="main"> |
| | |
| <s>Behind the twelve short posts the same number of higher posts are <lb/>erected, of which each has the middle part of the lower end cut out, so that <lb/>its two resulting lower ends are mortised into the back sill; these posts, <lb/>exclusive of the tenons, are twelve feet and two palms high, and are five palms <lb/>wide and two palms thick. </s> | <s>Behind the twelve short posts the same number of higher posts are <lb/>erected, of which each has the middle part of the lower end cut out, so that <lb/>its two resulting lower ends are mortised into the back sill; these posts, <lb/>exclusive of the tenons, are twelve feet and two palms high, and are five palms <lb/>wide and two palms thick. </s> |
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| |
| | |
| <s>The interior of the pipe is three digits <lb/>wide, and two and a half digits high in the front, for it is not absolutely round; <lb/>and at the back it is a foot and two palms and three digits in diameter. </s> | <s>The interior of the pipe is three digits <lb/>wide, and two and a half digits high in the front, for it is not absolutely round; <lb/>and at the back it is a foot and two palms and three digits in diameter. </s> |
| | |
| <s>The <lb/>plate from which the pipe is made is not entirely joined up, but at the front <lb/>there is left a crack half a digit wide, increasing at the back to three digits. <lb/>This pipe is placed in the hole in the furnace, which, as I said, was in the <lb/>middle of the wall and the arch. </s> | <s>The <lb/>plate from which the pipe is made is not entirely joined up, but at the front <lb/>there is left a crack half a digit wide, increasing at the back to three digits. <lb/></s> |
| | |
| | <s>This pipe is placed in the hole in the furnace, which, as I said, was in the <lb/>middle of the wall and the arch. </s> |
| | |
| <s>The nozzles of the bellows, placed in this <lb/>pipe, are a distance of five digits from its front end.</s></p><p type="main"> | <s>The nozzles of the bellows, placed in this <lb/>pipe, are a distance of five digits from its front end.</s></p><p type="main"> |
| | |
| |
| | |
| <s>Then the weight of the box <lb/>on the other end of the upper lever raises the upper bellows-board, and the <lb/>air is drawn in, entering through the air-hole.</s></p><p type="main"> | <s>Then the weight of the box <lb/>on the other end of the upper lever raises the upper bellows-board, and the <lb/>air is drawn in, entering through the air-hole.</s></p><p type="main"> |
| | |
| <s>The machine whose cams depress the lower lever is made as follows. <lb/>First there is an axle, on whose end outside the building is a water-wheel; <lb/>at the other end, which is inside the building, is a drum made of rundles. <lb/>This drum is composed of two double hubs, a foot apart, which are five digits <lb/>thick, the radius all round being a foot and two digits; but they are double, <lb/>because each hub is composed of two discs, equally thick, fastened together <lb/>with wooden pegs glued in. </s> | <s>The machine whose cams depress the lower lever is made as follows. <lb/></s> |
| | |
| | <s>First there is an axle, on whose end outside the building is a water-wheel; <lb/>at the other end, which is inside the building, is a drum made of rundles. <lb/></s> |
| | |
| | <s>This drum is composed of two double hubs, a foot apart, which are five digits <lb/>thick, the radius all round being a foot and two digits; but they are double, <lb/>because each hub is composed of two discs, equally thick, fastened together <lb/>with wooden pegs glued in. </s> |
| | |
| <s>These hubs are sometimes covered above and <lb/>around by iron plates. </s> | <s>These hubs are sometimes covered above and <lb/>around by iron plates. </s> |
| | |
| |
| | |
| <s>Each </s></p><pb pagenum="372"/><figure></figure><p type="caption"> | <s>Each </s></p><pb pagenum="372"/><figure></figure><p type="caption"> |
| | |
| <s>A—AXLE. B—WATER-WHEEL. C—DRUM COMPOSED OF RUNDLES. D—OTHER AXLE. <lb/>E—TOOTHED WHEEL. F—ITS SPOKES. G—ITS SEGMENTS. H—ITS TEETH. I—CAMS <lb/>OF THE AXLE.<lb/>segment, measured over its round back, is four feet and three palms long. <lb/>There are four spokes, each two palms wide and a palm and a digit thick; their <lb/>length, excluding the tenons, being two feet and three digits. </s> | <s>A—AXLE. B—WATER-WHEEL. C—DRUM COMPOSED OF RUNDLES. D—OTHER AXLE. <lb/>E—TOOTHED WHEEL. F—ITS SPOKES. G—ITS SEGMENTS. H—ITS TEETH. I—CAMS <lb/>OF THE AXLE.<lb/>segment, measured over its round back, is four feet and three palms long. <lb/></s> |
| | |
| | <s>There are four spokes, each two palms wide and a palm and a digit thick; their <lb/>length, excluding the tenons, being two feet and three digits. </s> |
| | |
| <s>One end of the <lb/>spoke is mortised into the axle, where it is firmly fastened with pegs; the <lb/>wide part of the other end, in the shape of a triangle, is mortised into the <lb/>outer segment opposite it, keeping the shape of the same as far as the segment <lb/>ascends. </s> | <s>One end of the <lb/>spoke is mortised into the axle, where it is firmly fastened with pegs; the <lb/>wide part of the other end, in the shape of a triangle, is mortised into the <lb/>outer segment opposite it, keeping the shape of the same as far as the segment <lb/>ascends. </s> |
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| |
| | |
| <s>The sieve is drawn <lb/>backward and forward over two wooden or iron rods placed in a triangular <lb/>position on a tub, or over a bench-frame set on the floor of the building; <lb/>the powder which falls into the tub or on to the floor is of suitable size, <lb/>but the pieces of small charcoal which remain in the sieve are emptied out <lb/>and thrown back under the stamps.</s></p><p type="main"> | <s>The sieve is drawn <lb/>backward and forward over two wooden or iron rods placed in a triangular <lb/>position on a tub, or over a bench-frame set on the floor of the building; <lb/>the powder which falls into the tub or on to the floor is of suitable size, <lb/>but the pieces of small charcoal which remain in the sieve are emptied out <lb/>and thrown back under the stamps.</s></p><p type="main"> |
| | |
| <s>When the earth is dug up it is first exposed to the sun that it may dry. <lb/>Later on it is thrown with a shovel on to a screen—set up obliquely and <lb/>supported by poles,—made of thick, loosely woven hazel withes, and in this <lb/>way the fine earth and its small lumps pass through the holes of the screen, but <lb/>the clods and stones do not pass through, but run down to the ground. </s> | <s>When the earth is dug up it is first exposed to the sun that it may dry. <lb/></s> |
| | |
| | <s>Later on it is thrown with a shovel on to a screen—set up obliquely and <lb/>supported by poles,—made of thick, loosely woven hazel withes, and in this <lb/>way the fine earth and its small lumps pass through the holes of the screen, but <lb/>the clods and stones do not pass through, but run down to the ground. </s> |
| | |
| <s>The <lb/>earth which passes through the screen is conveyed in a two-wheeled cart to <lb/>the works and there sifted. </s> | <s>The <lb/>earth which passes through the screen is conveyed in a two-wheeled cart to <lb/>the works and there sifted. </s> |
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| |
| | |
| <s>In the <lb/>lower part of the mouth he places lute that has been dipped in charcoal <lb/>dust, to guard against the risk of the lute attracting to itself the powder <lb/>of the hearth and vitiating it. </s> | <s>In the <lb/>lower part of the mouth he places lute that has been dipped in charcoal <lb/>dust, to guard against the risk of the lute attracting to itself the powder <lb/>of the hearth and vitiating it. </s> |
| | |
| <s>Next he lays in the mouth of the furnace a <lb/>straight round rod three quarters of a foot long and three digits in diameter. <lb/>Afterward he places a piece of charcoal on the lute, of the same length and <lb/>width as the mouth, so that it is entirely closed up; if there be not at hand <lb/>one piece of charcoal so large, he takes two instead. </s> | <s>Next he lays in the mouth of the furnace a <lb/>straight round rod three quarters of a foot long and three digits in diameter. <lb/></s> |
| | |
| | <s>Afterward he places a piece of charcoal on the lute, of the same length and <lb/>width as the mouth, so that it is entirely closed up; if there be not at hand <lb/>one piece of charcoal so large, he takes two instead. </s> |
| | |
| <s>When the mouth is thus <lb/>closed up, he throws into the furnace a wicker basket full of charcoal, and in <lb/>order that the piece of charcoal with which the mouth of the furnace is closed <lb/>should not then fall out, the master holds it in with his hand. </s> | <s>When the mouth is thus <lb/>closed up, he throws into the furnace a wicker basket full of charcoal, and in <lb/>order that the piece of charcoal with which the mouth of the furnace is closed <lb/>should not then fall out, the master holds it in with his hand. </s> |
| | |
| <s>The pieces <lb/>of charcoal which are thrown into the furnace should be of medium size, for <lb/>if they are large they impede the blast of the bellows and prevent it from <lb/>blowing through the tap-hole of the furnace into the forehearth to heat it. <lb/>Then the master covers over the charcoal, placed at the mouth of the furnace, <lb/>with lute and extracts the wooden rod, and thus the furnace is prepared. <lb/>Afterward the assistant throws four or five larger baskets full of charcoal <lb/>into the furnace, filling it right up; he also throws a little charcoal <lb/>into the forehearth, and places glowing coals upon it in order that it may <lb/>be kindled, but in order that the flames of this fire should not enter through <lb/>the tap-hole of the furnace and fire the charcoal inside, he covers the tap-hole <lb/>with lute or closes it with fragments of pottery. </s> | <s>The pieces <lb/>of charcoal which are thrown into the furnace should be of medium size, for <lb/>if they are large they impede the blast of the bellows and prevent it from <lb/>blowing through the tap-hole of the furnace into the forehearth to heat it. <lb/></s> |
| | |
| | <s>Then the master covers over the charcoal, placed at the mouth of the furnace, <lb/>with lute and extracts the wooden rod, and thus the furnace is prepared. <lb/></s> |
| | |
| | <s>Afterward the assistant throws four or five larger baskets full of charcoal <lb/>into the furnace, filling it right up; he also throws a little charcoal <lb/>into the forehearth, and places glowing coals upon it in order that it may <lb/>be kindled, but in order that the flames of this fire should not enter through <lb/>the tap-hole of the furnace and fire the charcoal inside, he covers the tap-hole <lb/>with lute or closes it with fragments of pottery. </s> |
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| <s>Some do not warm the <lb/>forehearth the same evening, but place large charcoals round the edge of it, one <lb/>leaning on the other; those who follow the first method sweep out the <lb/>forehearth in the morning, and clean out the little pieces of charcoal and <lb/>cinders, while those who follow the latter method take, early in the morning, <lb/>burning firebrands, which have been prepared by the watchman of the works, <lb/>and place them on the charcoal.</s></p><p type="main"> | <s>Some do not warm the <lb/>forehearth the same evening, but place large charcoals round the edge of it, one <lb/>leaning on the other; those who follow the first method sweep out the <lb/>forehearth in the morning, and clean out the little pieces of charcoal and <lb/>cinders, while those who follow the latter method take, early in the morning, <lb/>burning firebrands, which have been prepared by the watchman of the works, <lb/>and place them on the charcoal.</s></p><p type="main"> |
| | |
| |
| | |
| <s>When he has finally <lb/>drawn out of the forehearth the slags and the cakes melted from pyrites, <lb/>he takes out, with a ladle, the lead alloyed with gold or silver and pours it into <lb/>little iron or copper pans, three palms wide and as many digits deep, but <lb/>first lined on the inside with lute and dried by warming, lest the glowing molten <lb/>substances should break through. </s> | <s>When he has finally <lb/>drawn out of the forehearth the slags and the cakes melted from pyrites, <lb/>he takes out, with a ladle, the lead alloyed with gold or silver and pours it into <lb/>little iron or copper pans, three palms wide and as many digits deep, but <lb/>first lined on the inside with lute and dried by warming, lest the glowing molten <lb/>substances should break through. </s> |
| | |
| <s>The iron ladle is two palms wide, and in <lb/>other respects it is similar to the others, all of which have a sufficiently long <lb/>iron shaft, so that the fire should not burn the wooden part of the handle. <lb/>When the alloy has been poured out of the forehearth, the smelter foreman <lb/>and the mine captain weigh the cakes.</s></p><p type="main"> | <s>The iron ladle is two palms wide, and in <lb/>other respects it is similar to the others, all of which have a sufficiently long <lb/>iron shaft, so that the fire should not burn the wooden part of the handle. <lb/></s> |
| | |
| | <s>When the alloy has been poured out of the forehearth, the smelter foreman <lb/>and the mine captain weigh the cakes.</s></p><p type="main"> |
| | |
| <s>Then the master breaks out the whole of the mouth of the furnace with a <lb/>crowbar, and with that other hooked bar, the rabble and the five-toothed rake, <lb/>he extracts the accretions and the charcoal. </s> | <s>Then the master breaks out the whole of the mouth of the furnace with a <lb/>crowbar, and with that other hooked bar, the rabble and the five-toothed rake, <lb/>he extracts the accretions and the charcoal. </s> |
| | |
| |
| | |
| <s>Each of <lb/>these evils has its remedy; if the ore melts slowly or does not come together, <lb/>it is necessary to add some amount of fluxes which melt the ore; or if they <lb/>melt too readily, to decrease the amount.</s></p><p type="main"> | <s>Each of <lb/>these evils has its remedy; if the ore melts slowly or does not come together, <lb/>it is necessary to add some amount of fluxes which melt the ore; or if they <lb/>melt too readily, to decrease the amount.</s></p><p type="main"> |
| | |
| <s>The second reason is that each time that the furnace is opened with a <lb/>tapping-bar, it flows out into the forehearth, and the smelter is able to test <lb/>the alloy of gold and lead or of silver with lead, which is called <emph type="italics"/>stannum<emph.end type="italics"/><emph type="sup"/>16<emph.end type="sup"/>. <lb/>When the tap-hole is opened the second or third time, this test shows us <lb/>whether the alloy of gold or silver has become richer, or whether the lead is <lb/>too debilitated and wanting in strength to absorb any more gold or silver. </s> | <s>The second reason is that each time that the furnace is opened with a <lb/>tapping-bar, it flows out into the forehearth, and the smelter is able to test <lb/>the alloy of gold and lead or of silver with lead, which is called <emph type="italics"/>stannum<emph.end type="italics"/><emph type="sup"/>16<emph.end type="sup"/>. <lb/></s> |
| | |
| | <s>When the tap-hole is opened the second or third time, this test shows us <lb/>whether the alloy of gold or silver has become richer, or whether the lead is <lb/>too debilitated and wanting in strength to absorb any more gold or silver. </s> |
| | |
| <s>If <lb/>it has become richer, some portion of lead added to it should renew its <lb/>strength; if it has not become richer, it is poured out of the forehearth that <lb/>it may be replaced with fresh lead.</s></p><p type="main"> | <s>If <lb/>it has become richer, some portion of lead added to it should renew its <lb/>strength; if it has not become richer, it is poured out of the forehearth that <lb/>it may be replaced with fresh lead.</s></p><p type="main"> |
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| |
| | |
| <s>They differ greatly from each other, </s></p><pb pagenum="385"/><figure></figure><p type="caption"> | <s>They differ greatly from each other, </s></p><pb pagenum="385"/><figure></figure><p type="caption"> |
| | |
| <s>A, B—TWO FURNACES. C—FOREHEARTHS. D—DIPPING-POT. THE SMELTER STANDING <lb/>BY THE FIRST FURNACE DRAWS OFF THE SLAGS WITH A HOOKED BAR. E—HOOKED BAR. <lb/>F—SLAGS. G—THE ASSISTANT DRAWING A BUCKET OF WATER WHICH HE POURS OVER THE <lb/>GLOWING SLAGS TO QUENCH THEM. H—BASKET MADE OF TWIGS OF WOOD INTERTWINED. <lb/>I—RABBLE. K—ORE TO BE SMELTED. THE MASTER STANDS AT THE OTHER FURNACE <lb/><gap/><pb pagenum="386"/>however, for the tap-hole of the first of this kind is deeper in the furnace and <lb/>narrower than that of the third, and besides it is invisible and concealed. <lb/>It easily discharges into the forehearth, which is one and a half feet higher <lb/>than the floor of the building, in order that below it to the left a dipping-pot <lb/>can be made. </s> | <s>A, B—TWO FURNACES. C—FOREHEARTHS. D—DIPPING-POT. THE SMELTER STANDING <lb/>BY THE FIRST FURNACE DRAWS OFF THE SLAGS WITH A HOOKED BAR. E—HOOKED BAR. <lb/>F—SLAGS. G—THE ASSISTANT DRAWING A BUCKET OF WATER WHICH HE POURS OVER THE <lb/>GLOWING SLAGS TO QUENCH THEM. H—BASKET MADE OF TWIGS OF WOOD INTERTWINED. <lb/>I—RABBLE. K—ORE TO BE SMELTED. THE MASTER STANDS AT THE OTHER FURNACE <lb/><gap/><pb pagenum="386"/>however, for the tap-hole of the first of this kind is deeper in the furnace and <lb/>narrower than that of the third, and besides it is invisible and concealed. <lb/></s> |
| | |
| | <s>It easily discharges into the forehearth, which is one and a half feet higher <lb/>than the floor of the building, in order that below it to the left a dipping-pot <lb/>can be made. </s> |
| | |
| <s>When the forehearth is nearly full of the slags, which well up <lb/>from the invisible tap-hole of the furnace, they are skimmed off from the top <lb/>with a hooked bar; then the alloy of gold or silver with lead and the melted <lb/>pyrites, being uncovered, flow into the dipping-pot, and the latter are made into <lb/>cakes; these cakes are broken and thrown back into the furnace so that all <lb/>their metal may be smelted out. </s> | <s>When the forehearth is nearly full of the slags, which well up <lb/>from the invisible tap-hole of the furnace, they are skimmed off from the top <lb/>with a hooked bar; then the alloy of gold or silver with lead and the melted <lb/>pyrites, being uncovered, flow into the dipping-pot, and the latter are made into <lb/>cakes; these cakes are broken and thrown back into the furnace so that all <lb/>their metal may be smelted out. </s> |
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| |
| | |
| <s>If the ore to be smelted does not melt easily, the <lb/>hearth of the furnace must not be made too sloping, lest the molten fluxes <lb/>should run down into the forehearth before the ore is smelted, and the metal <lb/>thus remain in the accretions on the sides of the furnace. </s> | <s>If the ore to be smelted does not melt easily, the <lb/>hearth of the furnace must not be made too sloping, lest the molten fluxes <lb/>should run down into the forehearth before the ore is smelted, and the metal <lb/>thus remain in the accretions on the sides of the furnace. </s> |
| | |
| <s>The smelter must <lb/>not ram the hearth so much that it becomes too hard, nor make the mistake <lb/>of ramming the lower part of the mouth to make it hard, for it could not <lb/>breathe<emph type="sup"/>17<emph.end type="sup"/>, nor could the molten matter flow freely out of the furnace. <lb/>The ore which does not readily melt is thrown as much as possible to the <lb/>back of the furnace, and toward that part where the fire burns very <lb/>fiercely, so that it may be smelted longer. </s> | <s>The smelter must <lb/>not ram the hearth so much that it becomes too hard, nor make the mistake <lb/>of ramming the lower part of the mouth to make it hard, for it could not <lb/>breathe<emph type="sup"/>17<emph.end type="sup"/>, nor could the molten matter flow freely out of the furnace. <lb/></s> |
| | |
| | <s>The ore which does not readily melt is thrown as much as possible to the <lb/>back of the furnace, and toward that part where the fire burns very <lb/>fiercely, so that it may be smelted longer. </s> |
| | |
| <s>In this way the smelter may direct <lb/>it whither he wills. </s> | <s>In this way the smelter may direct <lb/>it whither he wills. </s> |
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| |
| | |
| <s>Although this method of smelting ores is rough and might not seem to <lb/>be of great use, yet it is clever and useful; for a great weight of ores, in <lb/>which the gold, silver, or copper are in small quantities, may be reduced into <lb/>a few cakes containing all the metal. </s> | <s>Although this method of smelting ores is rough and might not seem to <lb/>be of great use, yet it is clever and useful; for a great weight of ores, in <lb/>which the gold, silver, or copper are in small quantities, may be reduced into <lb/>a few cakes containing all the metal. </s> |
| | |
| <s>If on being first melted they are too <lb/>crude to be suitable for the second melting, in which the lead absorbs the <lb/>precious metals that are in the cakes, or in which the copper is melted out of <lb/>them, yet they can be made suitable if they are repeatedly roasted, some­<lb/>times as often as seven or eight times, as I have explained in the last book. <lb/>Smelters of this kind are so clever and expert, that in smelting they take out <lb/>all the gold and silver which the assayer in assaying the ores has stated to be <lb/>contained in them, because if during the first operation, when he makes the <lb/>cakes, there is a <emph type="italics"/>drachma<emph.end type="italics"/> of gold or half an <emph type="italics"/>uncia<emph.end type="italics"/> of silver lost from the ores, <lb/>the smelter obtains it from the slags by the second smelting. </s> | <s>If on being first melted they are too <lb/>crude to be suitable for the second melting, in which the lead absorbs the <lb/>precious metals that are in the cakes, or in which the copper is melted out of <lb/>them, yet they can be made suitable if they are repeatedly roasted, some­<lb/>times as often as seven or eight times, as I have explained in the last book. <lb/></s> |
| | |
| | <s>Smelters of this kind are so clever and expert, that in smelting they take out <lb/>all the gold and silver which the assayer in assaying the ores has stated to be <lb/>contained in them, because if during the first operation, when he makes the <lb/>cakes, there is a <emph type="italics"/>drachma<emph.end type="italics"/> of gold or half an <emph type="italics"/>uncia<emph.end type="italics"/> of silver lost from the ores, <lb/>the smelter obtains it from the slags by the second smelting. </s> |
| | |
| <s>This method of <lb/>smelting ores is old and very common to most of those who use other methods.</s></p><p type="main"> | <s>This method of <lb/>smelting ores is old and very common to most of those who use other methods.</s></p><p type="main"> |
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| |
| | |
| <s>In Westphalia they heap up ten wagon-loads of charcoal on some hill­<lb/>side which adjoins a level place, and the top of the heap being made flat, <lb/>straw is thrown upon it to the thickness of three or four digits. </s> | <s>In Westphalia they heap up ten wagon-loads of charcoal on some hill­<lb/>side which adjoins a level place, and the top of the heap being made flat, <lb/>straw is thrown upon it to the thickness of three or four digits. </s> |
| | |
| <s>On the top of <pb pagenum="392"/>this is laid as much pure lead ore as the heap can bear; then the charcoal is <lb/>kindled, and when the wind blows, it fans the fire so that the ore is smelted. <lb/>In this wise the lead, trickling down from the heap, flows on to the level and <lb/>forms broad thin slabs. </s> | <s>On the top of <pb pagenum="392"/>this is laid as much pure lead ore as the heap can bear; then the charcoal is <lb/>kindled, and when the wind blows, it fans the fire so that the ore is smelted. <lb/></s> |
| | |
| | <s>In this wise the lead, trickling down from the heap, flows on to the level and <lb/>forms broad thin slabs. </s> |
| | |
| <s>A few hundred pounds of lead ore are kept at hand, <lb/>which, if things go well, are scattered over the heap. </s> | <s>A few hundred pounds of lead ore are kept at hand, <lb/>which, if things go well, are scattered over the heap. </s> |
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| |
| | |
| <s>The thicker metallic <lb/>substances, or <emph type="italics"/>cadmia,<emph.end type="italics"/><emph type="sup"/>25<emph.end type="sup"/> adhere to the vaulted chamber, and often <lb/>harden into stalactites. </s> | <s>The thicker metallic <lb/>substances, or <emph type="italics"/>cadmia,<emph.end type="italics"/><emph type="sup"/>25<emph.end type="sup"/> adhere to the vaulted chamber, and often <lb/>harden into stalactites. </s> |
| | |
| <s>On one side of the chamber is a window in which <lb/>are set panes of glass, so that the light may be transmitted, but the fumes <lb/>kept in; on the other side is a door, which is kept entirely closed while the <lb/>ores are being smelted in the furnaces, so that none of the fumes may escape. <lb/>It is opened in order that the workman, passing through it, may be enabled <lb/>to enter the chamber and remove the soot and <emph type="italics"/>pompholyx<emph.end type="italics"/><emph type="sup"/>26<emph.end type="sup"/> and chip off <lb/></s></p><pb pagenum="395"/><figure></figure><p type="caption"> | <s>On one side of the chamber is a window in which <lb/>are set panes of glass, so that the light may be transmitted, but the fumes <lb/>kept in; on the other side is a door, which is kept entirely closed while the <lb/>ores are being smelted in the furnaces, so that none of the fumes may escape. <lb/></s> |
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| | <s>It is opened in order that the workman, passing through it, may be enabled <lb/>to enter the chamber and remove the soot and <emph type="italics"/>pompholyx<emph.end type="italics"/><emph type="sup"/>26<emph.end type="sup"/> and chip off <lb/></s></p><pb pagenum="395"/><figure></figure><p type="caption"> |
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| <s>A—FURNACES. B—VAULTED ROOF. C—COLUMNS. D—DUST-CHAMBER. E—OPENING. <lb/>F—CHIMNEY. G—WINDOW. H—DOOR. I—CHUTE.<pb pagenum="396"/>the <emph type="italics"/>cadmía;<emph.end type="italics"/> this sweeping is done twice a year. </s> | <s>A—FURNACES. B—VAULTED ROOF. C—COLUMNS. D—DUST-CHAMBER. E—OPENING. <lb/>F—CHIMNEY. G—WINDOW. H—DOOR. I—CHUTE.<pb pagenum="396"/>the <emph type="italics"/>cadmía;<emph.end type="italics"/> this sweeping is done twice a year. </s> |
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| <s>It is necessary to smelt gold ore either outside the blast furnace in a <lb/>crucible, or inside the blast furnace; in the former case a small charge of ore <lb/>is used, in the latter a large charge of it. <emph type="italics"/>Rudís<emph.end type="italics"/> gold, of whatever colour <lb/>it is, is crushed with a <emph type="italics"/>líbra<emph.end type="italics"/> each of sulphur and salt, a third of a <emph type="italics"/>líbra<emph.end type="italics"/> of copper, <lb/><pb pagenum="397"/>and a quarter of a <emph type="italics"/>líbra<emph.end type="italics"/> of argol; they should be melted in a crucible on a <lb/>slow fire for three hours, then the alloy is put into molten silver that it <lb/>may melt more rapidly. </s> | <s>It is necessary to smelt gold ore either outside the blast furnace in a <lb/>crucible, or inside the blast furnace; in the former case a small charge of ore <lb/>is used, in the latter a large charge of it. <emph type="italics"/>Rudís<emph.end type="italics"/> gold, of whatever colour <lb/>it is, is crushed with a <emph type="italics"/>líbra<emph.end type="italics"/> each of sulphur and salt, a third of a <emph type="italics"/>líbra<emph.end type="italics"/> of copper, <lb/><pb pagenum="397"/>and a quarter of a <emph type="italics"/>líbra<emph.end type="italics"/> of argol; they should be melted in a crucible on a <lb/>slow fire for three hours, then the alloy is put into molten silver that it <lb/>may melt more rapidly. </s> |
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| <s>Or a <emph type="italics"/>líbra<emph.end type="italics"/> of the same crude gold, crushed up, is <lb/>mixed together with half a <emph type="italics"/>líbra<emph.end type="italics"/> of <emph type="italics"/>stíbium<emph.end type="italics"/> likewise crushed, and put <lb/>into a crucible with half an <emph type="italics"/>uncía<emph.end type="italics"/> of copper filings, and heated until they <lb/>melt, then a sixth part of granulated lead is thrown into the same crucible. <lb/>As soon as the mixture emits an odour, iron-filings are added to it, or if these <lb/>are not at hand, iron hammer-scales, for both of these break the strength of <lb/>the <emph type="italics"/>stíbíum.<emph.end type="italics"/> When the fire consumes it, not alone with it is some strength <lb/>of the <emph type="italics"/>stíbíum<emph.end type="italics"/> consumed, but some particles of gold and also of silver, if it <lb/>be mixed with the gold<emph type="sup"/>29<emph.end type="sup"/>. </s> | <s>Or a <emph type="italics"/>líbra<emph.end type="italics"/> of the same crude gold, crushed up, is <lb/>mixed together with half a <emph type="italics"/>líbra<emph.end type="italics"/> of <emph type="italics"/>stíbium<emph.end type="italics"/> likewise crushed, and put <lb/>into a crucible with half an <emph type="italics"/>uncía<emph.end type="italics"/> of copper filings, and heated until they <lb/>melt, then a sixth part of granulated lead is thrown into the same crucible. <lb/></s> |
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| | <s>As soon as the mixture emits an odour, iron-filings are added to it, or if these <lb/>are not at hand, iron hammer-scales, for both of these break the strength of <lb/>the <emph type="italics"/>stíbíum.<emph.end type="italics"/> When the fire consumes it, not alone with it is some strength <lb/>of the <emph type="italics"/>stíbíum<emph.end type="italics"/> consumed, but some particles of gold and also of silver, if it <lb/>be mixed with the gold<emph type="sup"/>29<emph.end type="sup"/>. </s> |
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| <s>When the button has been taken out of the <lb/>crucible and cooled, it is melted in a cupel, first until the antimony is exhaled, <lb/>and thereafter until the lead is separated from it.</s></p><p type="main"> | <s>When the button has been taken out of the <lb/>crucible and cooled, it is melted in a cupel, first until the antimony is exhaled, <lb/>and thereafter until the lead is separated from it.</s></p><p type="main"> |
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| <s>The gold concentrates mixed <lb/>with litharge and hearth-lead, to which are added iron-scales, are smelted in the <lb/>blast furnace whose tap-hole is intermittently closed, or else in the first or the <lb/>second furnaces in which the tap-hole is always open. </s> | <s>The gold concentrates mixed <lb/>with litharge and hearth-lead, to which are added iron-scales, are smelted in the <lb/>blast furnace whose tap-hole is intermittently closed, or else in the first or the <lb/>second furnaces in which the tap-hole is always open. </s> |
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| <s>In this manner an <lb/><pb pagenum="399"/>alloy of gold and lead is obtained which is put into the cupellation furnace. <lb/>Two parts of roasted pyrites or <emph type="italics"/>cadmía<emph.end type="italics"/> which contain gold, are put with <lb/>one part of unroasted, and are smelted together in the third furnace whose <lb/>tap-hole is always open, and are made into cakes. </s> | <s>In this manner an <lb/><pb pagenum="399"/>alloy of gold and lead is obtained which is put into the cupellation furnace. <lb/></s> |
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| | <s>Two parts of roasted pyrites or <emph type="italics"/>cadmía<emph.end type="italics"/> which contain gold, are put with <lb/>one part of unroasted, and are smelted together in the third furnace whose <lb/>tap-hole is always open, and are made into cakes. </s> |
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| <s>When these cakes have <lb/>been repeatedly roasted, they are re-smelted in the furnace whose tap­<lb/>hole is temporarily closed, or in one of the two others whose tap-holes are <lb/>always open. </s> | <s>When these cakes have <lb/>been repeatedly roasted, they are re-smelted in the furnace whose tap­<lb/>hole is temporarily closed, or in one of the two others whose tap-holes are <lb/>always open. </s> |
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| <s>Some people smelt lumps of native silver <lb/>not sufficiently pure, in pots or triangular crucibles, whose lids are sealed with <lb/>lute. </s> | <s>Some people smelt lumps of native silver <lb/>not sufficiently pure, in pots or triangular crucibles, whose lids are sealed with <lb/>lute. </s> |
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| <s>They do not place these pots in the blast furnace, but arrange them in <lb/>the assay furnace into which the draught of the air blows through small holes. <lb/>To one part of the native silver they add three parts of powdered litharge, as <lb/>many parts of hearth-lead, half a part of galena<emph type="sup"/>36<emph.end type="sup"/>, and a small quantity of <lb/>salt and iron-scales. </s> | <s>They do not place these pots in the blast furnace, but arrange them in <lb/>the assay furnace into which the draught of the air blows through small holes. <lb/></s> |
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| | <s>To one part of the native silver they add three parts of powdered litharge, as <lb/>many parts of hearth-lead, half a part of galena<emph type="sup"/>36<emph.end type="sup"/>, and a small quantity of <lb/>salt and iron-scales. </s> |
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| <s>The alloy which settles at the bottom of the other <lb/>substances in the pot is carried to the cupellation furnace, and the slags are <lb/>re-melted with the other silver slags. </s> | <s>The alloy which settles at the bottom of the other <lb/>substances in the pot is carried to the cupellation furnace, and the slags are <lb/>re-melted with the other silver slags. </s> |
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| <s>They crush under the stamps and <lb/>wash the pots or crucibles to which silver-lead alloy or slags adhere, and <lb/>having collected the concentrates they smelt them together with the slags. <lb/>This method of smelting <emph type="italics"/>rudis<emph.end type="italics"/> silver, if there is a small quantity of it, is the <lb/>best, because the smallest portion of silver does not fly out of the pot or the <lb/>crucible, and get lost.</s></p><p type="main"> | <s>They crush under the stamps and <lb/>wash the pots or crucibles to which silver-lead alloy or slags adhere, and <lb/>having collected the concentrates they smelt them together with the slags. <lb/></s> |
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| | <s>This method of smelting <emph type="italics"/>rudis<emph.end type="italics"/> silver, if there is a small quantity of it, is the <lb/>best, because the smallest portion of silver does not fly out of the pot or the <lb/>crucible, and get lost.</s></p><p type="main"> |
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| <s>If bismuth ore or antimony ore or lead ore<emph type="sup"/>37<emph.end type="sup"/> contains silver, it is <lb/>smelted with the other ores of silver; likewise galena or pyrites, if there is <lb/>a small amount of it. </s> | <s>If bismuth ore or antimony ore or lead ore<emph type="sup"/>37<emph.end type="sup"/> contains silver, it is <lb/>smelted with the other ores of silver; likewise galena or pyrites, if there is <lb/>a small amount of it. </s> |
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| <s>Indeed, <emph type="italics"/>rudis<emph.end type="italics"/> copper ore of inferior quality, whether ash-coloured or <lb/>purple, blackish and occasionally in parts blue, is smelted in the first <lb/>furnace whose tap-hole is always open. </s> | <s>Indeed, <emph type="italics"/>rudis<emph.end type="italics"/> copper ore of inferior quality, whether ash-coloured or <lb/>purple, blackish and occasionally in parts blue, is smelted in the first <lb/>furnace whose tap-hole is always open. </s> |
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| <s>This is the method of the Tyrolese. <lb/>To as much <emph type="italics"/>rudis<emph.end type="italics"/> copper ore as will fill eighteen vessels, each of which holds <pb pagenum="405"/>almost as much as seven Roman <emph type="italics"/>moduli<emph.end type="italics"/><emph type="sup"/>44<emph.end type="sup"/>, the first smelter—for there are <lb/>three—adds three cartloads of lead slags, one cartload of schist, one fifth of <lb/>a <emph type="italics"/>centumpondium<emph.end type="italics"/> of stones which easily fuse in the fire, besides a small <lb/>quantity of concentrates collected from copper slag and accretions, all of <lb/>which he smelts for the space of twelve hours, and from which he makes six <lb/><emph type="italics"/>centumpondía<emph.end type="italics"/> of primary cakes and one-half of a <emph type="italics"/>centumpondium<emph.end type="italics"/> of alloy. <lb/>One half of the latter consists of copper and silver, and it settles to the bottom <lb/>of the forehearth. </s> | <s>This is the method of the Tyrolese. <lb/></s> |
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| | <s>To as much <emph type="italics"/>rudis<emph.end type="italics"/> copper ore as will fill eighteen vessels, each of which holds <pb pagenum="405"/>almost as much as seven Roman <emph type="italics"/>moduli<emph.end type="italics"/><emph type="sup"/>44<emph.end type="sup"/>, the first smelter—for there are <lb/>three—adds three cartloads of lead slags, one cartload of schist, one fifth of <lb/>a <emph type="italics"/>centumpondium<emph.end type="italics"/> of stones which easily fuse in the fire, besides a small <lb/>quantity of concentrates collected from copper slag and accretions, all of <lb/>which he smelts for the space of twelve hours, and from which he makes six <lb/><emph type="italics"/>centumpondía<emph.end type="italics"/> of primary cakes and one-half of a <emph type="italics"/>centumpondium<emph.end type="italics"/> of alloy. <lb/></s> |
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| | <s>One half of the latter consists of copper and silver, and it settles to the bottom <lb/>of the forehearth. </s> |
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| <s>In every <emph type="italics"/>centumpondium<emph.end type="italics"/> of the cakes there is half a <emph type="italics"/>libra<emph.end type="italics"/><lb/>of silver and sometimes half an <emph type="italics"/>uncia<emph.end type="italics"/> besides; in the half of a <emph type="italics"/>centumpondium<emph.end type="italics"/><pb pagenum="406"/>of the alloy there is a <emph type="italics"/>bes<emph.end type="italics"/> or three-quarters of silver. </s> | <s>In every <emph type="italics"/>centumpondium<emph.end type="italics"/> of the cakes there is half a <emph type="italics"/>libra<emph.end type="italics"/><lb/>of silver and sometimes half an <emph type="italics"/>uncia<emph.end type="italics"/> besides; in the half of a <emph type="italics"/>centumpondium<emph.end type="italics"/><pb pagenum="406"/>of the alloy there is a <emph type="italics"/>bes<emph.end type="italics"/> or three-quarters of silver. </s> |
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| <s>After he has taken off the cakes with a <lb/>hooked bar, he pours the alloy out into copper or iron moulds; by this <lb/>method they make four cakes of alloy, which are carried to the works in <lb/>which silver is parted from copper. </s> | <s>After he has taken off the cakes with a <lb/>hooked bar, he pours the alloy out into copper or iron moulds; by this <lb/>method they make four cakes of alloy, which are carried to the works in <lb/>which silver is parted from copper. </s> |
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| <s>On the following day, the same smelter, <lb/>taking eighteen <emph type="italics"/>centumpondia<emph.end type="italics"/> of the secondary cakes, again adds twelve <lb/><emph type="italics"/>centumpondia<emph.end type="italics"/> of hearth-lead and litharge, three <emph type="italics"/>centumpondia<emph.end type="italics"/> of stones <lb/>from which lead is smelted, five <emph type="italics"/>centumpondía<emph.end type="italics"/> of hard cakes rich in silver, <lb/>together with slags from the smelting of the primary cakes, and with concen­<lb/>trates washed from the accretions which are usually made at that time. <lb/>This charge is likewise smelted for the space of twelve hours, and he makes as <lb/>many as thirteen <emph type="italics"/>centumpondía<emph.end type="italics"/> of tertiary cakes and eleven <emph type="italics"/>centumpondia<emph.end type="italics"/><lb/>of copper-lead-silver alloy, each <emph type="italics"/>centumpondium<emph.end type="italics"/> of which contains one­<lb/>third of a <emph type="italics"/>líbra<emph.end type="italics"/> and half an <emph type="italics"/>uncia<emph.end type="italics"/> of silver. </s> | <s>On the following day, the same smelter, <lb/>taking eighteen <emph type="italics"/>centumpondia<emph.end type="italics"/> of the secondary cakes, again adds twelve <lb/><emph type="italics"/>centumpondia<emph.end type="italics"/> of hearth-lead and litharge, three <emph type="italics"/>centumpondia<emph.end type="italics"/> of stones <lb/>from which lead is smelted, five <emph type="italics"/>centumpondía<emph.end type="italics"/> of hard cakes rich in silver, <lb/>together with slags from the smelting of the primary cakes, and with concen­<lb/>trates washed from the accretions which are usually made at that time. <lb/></s> |
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| | <s>This charge is likewise smelted for the space of twelve hours, and he makes as <lb/>many as thirteen <emph type="italics"/>centumpondía<emph.end type="italics"/> of tertiary cakes and eleven <emph type="italics"/>centumpondia<emph.end type="italics"/><lb/>of copper-lead-silver alloy, each <emph type="italics"/>centumpondium<emph.end type="italics"/> of which contains one­<lb/>third of a <emph type="italics"/>líbra<emph.end type="italics"/> and half an <emph type="italics"/>uncia<emph.end type="italics"/> of silver. </s> |
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| | <s>When he has skimmed off the <lb/>tertiary cakes with a hooked bar, the alloy is poured into copper moulds, and <lb/>by this method four cakes of alloy are made, which, like the preceding four <lb/>cakes of alloy, are carried to the works in which silver is parted from copper. <lb/></s> |
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| <s>When he has skimmed off the <lb/>tertiary cakes with a hooked bar, the alloy is poured into copper moulds, and <lb/>by this method four cakes of alloy are made, which, like the preceding four <lb/>cakes of alloy, are carried to the works in which silver is parted from copper. <lb/>By this method the second smelter makes primary cakes on alternate days <lb/>and secondary cakes on the intermediate days. </s> | <s>By this method the second smelter makes primary cakes on alternate days <lb/>and secondary cakes on the intermediate days. </s> |
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| <s>The third smelter takes <lb/>eleven cartloads of the tertiary cakes and adds to them three cartloads of <lb/>hard cakes poor in silver, together with the slag from smelting the secondary <lb/>cakes, and the concentrates from the accretions which are usually made <lb/>at that time. </s> | <s>The third smelter takes <lb/>eleven cartloads of the tertiary cakes and adds to them three cartloads of <lb/>hard cakes poor in silver, together with the slag from smelting the secondary <lb/>cakes, and the concentrates from the accretions which are usually made <lb/>at that time. </s> |
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| <s>The little black stones<emph type="sup"/>51<emph.end type="sup"/> and others from which tin is made, are smelted <lb/>in their own kind of furnace, which should be narrower than the other <lb/>furnaces, that there may be only the small fire which is necessary for this <lb/>ore. </s> | <s>The little black stones<emph type="sup"/>51<emph.end type="sup"/> and others from which tin is made, are smelted <lb/>in their own kind of furnace, which should be narrower than the other <lb/>furnaces, that there may be only the small fire which is necessary for this <lb/>ore. </s> |
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| <s>These furnaces are higher, that the height may compensate for the <lb/>narrowness and make them of almost the same capacity as the other furnaces. <lb/>At the top, in front, they are closed and on the other side they are open, where <lb/>there are steps, because they cannot have the steps in front on account of the <lb/>forehearth; the smelters ascend by these steps to put the tin-stone into the <lb/>furnace. </s> | <s>These furnaces are higher, that the height may compensate for the <lb/>narrowness and make them of almost the same capacity as the other furnaces. <lb/></s> |
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| | <s>At the top, in front, they are closed and on the other side they are open, where <lb/>there are steps, because they cannot have the steps in front on account of the <lb/>forehearth; the smelters ascend by these steps to put the tin-stone into the <lb/>furnace. </s> |
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| <s>The hearth of the furnace is not made of powdered earth and char­<lb/>coal, but on the floor of the works are placed sandstones which are not too <lb/>hard; these are set on a slight slope, and are two and three-quarters feet <lb/>long, the same number of feet wide, and two feet thick, for the thicker they are <lb/>the longer they last in the fire. </s> | <s>The hearth of the furnace is not made of powdered earth and char­<lb/>coal, but on the floor of the works are placed sandstones which are not too <lb/>hard; these are set on a slight slope, and are two and three-quarters feet <lb/>long, the same number of feet wide, and two feet thick, for the thicker they are <lb/>the longer they last in the fire. </s> |
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| <s>Near the steps is a hollowed stone, <lb/>in which is placed the tin-stone to be smelted; as often as the smelter <lb/>throws into the furnace an iron shovel-ful of this tin-stone, he puts on char­<lb/>coal that was first put into a vat and washed with water to be cleansed from the <lb/>grit and small stones which adhere to it, lest they melt at the same time as the <lb/>tin-stone and obstruct the tap-hole and impede the flow of tin from the <lb/>furnace. </s> | <s>Near the steps is a hollowed stone, <lb/>in which is placed the tin-stone to be smelted; as often as the smelter <lb/>throws into the furnace an iron shovel-ful of this tin-stone, he puts on char­<lb/>coal that was first put into a vat and washed with water to be cleansed from the <lb/>grit and small stones which adhere to it, lest they melt at the same time as the <lb/>tin-stone and obstruct the tap-hole and impede the flow of tin from the <lb/>furnace. </s> |
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| <s>The tap-hole of the furnace is always open; in front of it is a fore­<lb/>hearth a little more than half a foot deep, three-quarters of two feet long and <lb/>one foot wide; this is lined with lute, and the tin from the tap-hole flows into it. <lb/>On one side of the forehearth is a low wall, three-quarters of a foot wider <lb/>and one foot longer than the forehearth, on which lies charcoal powder. <lb/>On the other side the floor of the building slopes, so that the slags may con­<lb/>veniently run down and be carried away. </s> | <s>The tap-hole of the furnace is always open; in front of it is a fore­<lb/>hearth a little more than half a foot deep, three-quarters of two feet long and <lb/>one foot wide; this is lined with lute, and the tin from the tap-hole flows into it. <lb/></s> |
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| | <s>On one side of the forehearth is a low wall, three-quarters of a foot wider <lb/>and one foot longer than the forehearth, on which lies charcoal powder. <lb/></s> |
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| | <s>On the other side the floor of the building slopes, so that the slags may con­<lb/>veniently run down and be carried away. </s> |
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| <s>As soon as the tin begins to run <lb/>from the tap-hole of the furnace into the forehearth, the smelter scrapes <pb pagenum="413"/>down some of the powdered charcoal into it from the wall, so that the slags <lb/>may be separated from the hot metal, and so that it may be covered, lest <lb/>any part of it, being very hot, should fly away with the fumes. </s> | <s>As soon as the tin begins to run <lb/>from the tap-hole of the furnace into the forehearth, the smelter scrapes <pb pagenum="413"/>down some of the powdered charcoal into it from the wall, so that the slags <lb/>may be separated from the hot metal, and so that it may be covered, lest <lb/>any part of it, being very hot, should fly away with the fumes. </s> |
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| <s>If after <lb/>the slag has been skimmed off, the powder does not cover up the whole of the <lb/>tin, the smelter draws a little more charcoal off the wall with a scraper. </s> | <s>If after <lb/>the slag has been skimmed off, the powder does not cover up the whole of the <lb/>tin, the smelter draws a little more charcoal off the wall with a scraper. </s> |
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| <s>After <lb/>he has opened the tap-hole of the forehearth with a tapping-bar, in order <lb/>that the tin can flow into the tapping-pot, likewise smeared with lute, he <lb/>again closes the tap-hole with pure lute or lute mixed with powdered charcoal. <lb/>The smelter, if he be diligent and experienced, has brooms at hand with which <lb/>he sweeps down the walls above the furnace; to these walls and to the <lb/>dust chamber minute tin-stones sometimes adhere with part of the fumes. <lb/>If he be not sufficiently experienced in these matters and has melted at the <lb/>same time all of the tin-stone,—which is commonly of three sizes, large, <lb/>medium, and very small,—not a little waste of the proprietor's tin results; <lb/>because, before the large or the medium sizes have melted, the small have either <lb/>been burnt up in the furnace, or else, flying up from it, they not only adhere to <lb/>the walls but also fall in the dust chamber. </s> | <s>After <lb/>he has opened the tap-hole of the forehearth with a tapping-bar, in order <lb/>that the tin can flow into the tapping-pot, likewise smeared with lute, he <lb/>again closes the tap-hole with pure lute or lute mixed with powdered charcoal. <lb/></s> |
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| | <s>The smelter, if he be diligent and experienced, has brooms at hand with which <lb/>he sweeps down the walls above the furnace; to these walls and to the <lb/>dust chamber minute tin-stones sometimes adhere with part of the fumes. <lb/></s> |
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| | <s>If he be not sufficiently experienced in these matters and has melted at the <lb/>same time all of the tin-stone,—which is commonly of three sizes, large, <lb/>medium, and very small,—not a little waste of the proprietor's tin results; <lb/>because, before the large or the medium sizes have melted, the small have either <lb/>been burnt up in the furnace, or else, flying up from it, they not only adhere to <lb/>the walls but also fall in the dust chamber. </s> |
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| <s>The owner of the works has <lb/>the sweepings by right from the owner of the ore. </s> | <s>The owner of the works has <lb/>the sweepings by right from the owner of the ore. </s> |
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| |
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| <s>One <emph type="italics"/>centumpondium<emph.end type="italics"/> of the lattice-like <lb/>bare sells for more than a <emph type="italics"/>centumpondium<emph.end type="italics"/> of cakes, for the price of the former <pb pagenum="419"/>exceeds the price of the latter by a gold coin<emph type="sup"/>54<emph.end type="sup"/>. </s> | <s>One <emph type="italics"/>centumpondium<emph.end type="italics"/> of the lattice-like <lb/>bare sells for more than a <emph type="italics"/>centumpondium<emph.end type="italics"/> of cakes, for the price of the former <pb pagenum="419"/>exceeds the price of the latter by a gold coin<emph type="sup"/>54<emph.end type="sup"/>. </s> |
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| <s>These lattice-like bars are <lb/>lighter than the others, and when five of them are pounded and amalgamated <lb/>with a wooden mallet, a mass is made which is stamped with an iron die. <lb/>There are some who do not make a dipping-pot on the floor for the tin to run <lb/>into, but in the hearth itself; out of this the master, having removed the <lb/>charcoal, ladles the tin and pours it over the copper-plate. </s> | <s>These lattice-like bars are <lb/>lighter than the others, and when five of them are pounded and amalgamated <lb/>with a wooden mallet, a mass is made which is stamped with an iron die. <lb/></s> |
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| | <s>There are some who do not make a dipping-pot on the floor for the tin to run <lb/>into, but in the hearth itself; out of this the master, having removed the <lb/>charcoal, ladles the tin and pours it over the copper-plate. </s> |
| | |
| <s>The dross which <lb/>adheres to the wood and the charcoal, having been collected, is re-smelted <lb/>in the furnace.</s></p><figure></figure><p type="caption"> | <s>The dross which <lb/>adheres to the wood and the charcoal, having been collected, is re-smelted <lb/>in the furnace.</s></p><figure></figure><p type="caption"> |
| | |
| |
| | |
| <s>The hearth is three and a half feet high, and five feet long and <lb/>wide; in the centre of it is a crucible a foot deep and one and a half feet <lb/>wide, but it may be deeper or shallower, wider or narrower, according to whether <lb/>more or less ore is to be made into iron. </s> | <s>The hearth is three and a half feet high, and five feet long and <lb/>wide; in the centre of it is a crucible a foot deep and one and a half feet <lb/>wide, but it may be deeper or shallower, wider or narrower, according to whether <lb/>more or less ore is to be made into iron. </s> |
| | |
| <s>A certain quantity of iron ore is <lb/>given to the master, out of which he may smelt either much or little iron. <lb/>He being about to expend his skill and labour on this matter, first throws <lb/>charcoal into the crucible, and sprinkles over it an iron shovel-ful of crushed <lb/>iron ore mixed with unslaked lime. </s> | <s>A certain quantity of iron ore is <lb/>given to the master, out of which he may smelt either much or little iron. <lb/></s> |
| | |
| | <s>He being about to expend his skill and labour on this matter, first throws <lb/>charcoal into the crucible, and sprinkles over it an iron shovel-ful of crushed <lb/>iron ore mixed with unslaked lime. </s> |
| | |
| <s>Then he repeatedly throws on charcoal <lb/>and sprinkles it with ore, and continues this until he has slowly built up a <lb/>heap; it melts when the charcoal has been kindled and the fire violently <lb/>stimulated by the blast of the bellows, which are skilfully fixed in a pipe. <pb pagenum="421"/>He is able to complete this work sometimes in eight hours, sometimes in ten, <lb/>and again sometimes in twelve. </s> | <s>Then he repeatedly throws on charcoal <lb/>and sprinkles it with ore, and continues this until he has slowly built up a <lb/>heap; it melts when the charcoal has been kindled and the fire violently <lb/>stimulated by the blast of the bellows, which are skilfully fixed in a pipe. <pb pagenum="421"/>He is able to complete this work sometimes in eight hours, sometimes in ten, <lb/>and again sometimes in twelve. </s> |
| | |
| |
| | |
| <s>The masses, if they remain and settle in the crucible of the <lb/>furnace in which the iron is smelted, become hard iron which can only be <lb/>hammered with difficulty, and from these they make the iron-shod heads for <lb/>the stamps, and such-like very hard articles.</s></p><p type="main"> | <s>The masses, if they remain and settle in the crucible of the <lb/>furnace in which the iron is smelted, become hard iron which can only be <lb/>hammered with difficulty, and from these they make the iron-shod heads for <lb/>the stamps, and such-like very hard articles.</s></p><p type="main"> |
| | |
| <s>But to iron ore which is cupriferous, or which when heated<emph type="sup"/>56<emph.end type="sup"/> melts <lb/>with difficulty, it is necessary for us to give a fiercer fire and more labour; <lb/>because not only must we separate the parts of it in which there is metal from <lb/>those in which there is no metal, and break it up by dry stamps, but we must <lb/>also roast it, so that the other metals and noxious juices may be exhaled; <lb/>and we must wash it, so that the lighter parts may be separated from it. <lb/>Such ores are smelted in a furnace similar to the blast furnace, but much <lb/>wider and higher, so that it may hold a great quantity of ore and much <lb/>charcoal; mounting the stairs at the side of the furnace, the smelters fill <lb/>it partly with fragments of ore not larger than nuts, and partly with <lb/>charcoal; and from this kind of ore once or twice smelted they make iron <lb/>which is suitable for re-heating in the blacksmith's forge, after it is flattened <lb/>out with the large iron hammer and cut into pieces with the sharp iron.</s></p><p type="main"> | <s>But to iron ore which is cupriferous, or which when heated<emph type="sup"/>56<emph.end type="sup"/> melts <lb/>with difficulty, it is necessary for us to give a fiercer fire and more labour; <lb/>because not only must we separate the parts of it in which there is metal from <lb/>those in which there is no metal, and break it up by dry stamps, but we must <lb/>also roast it, so that the other metals and noxious juices may be exhaled; <lb/>and we must wash it, so that the lighter parts may be separated from it. <lb/></s> |
| | |
| | <s>Such ores are smelted in a furnace similar to the blast furnace, but much <lb/>wider and higher, so that it may hold a great quantity of ore and much <lb/>charcoal; mounting the stairs at the side of the furnace, the smelters fill <lb/>it partly with fragments of ore not larger than nuts, and partly with <lb/>charcoal; and from this kind of ore once or twice smelted they make iron <lb/>which is suitable for re-heating in the blacksmith's forge, after it is flattened <lb/>out with the large iron hammer and cut into pieces with the sharp iron.</s></p><p type="main"> |
| | |
| <s>By skill with fire and fluxes is made that kind of iron from which steel <lb/>is made, which the Greeks call <foreign lang="greek">sto/mwma.</foreign> Iron should be selected which <lb/>is easy to melt, is hard and malleable. </s> | <s>By skill with fire and fluxes is made that kind of iron from which steel <lb/>is made, which the Greeks call <foreign lang="greek">sto/mwma.</foreign> Iron should be selected which <lb/>is easy to melt, is hard and malleable. </s> |
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| |
| | |
| <s>A—HEARTH. B—POLES. C—HEARTH WITHOUT FIRE IN WHICH THE POTS ARE PLACED. <lb/>D—ROCKS. E—ROWS OF POTS. F—UPPER POTS. G—LOWER POTS.</s></p><pb pagenum="428"/><p type="main"> | <s>A—HEARTH. B—POLES. C—HEARTH WITHOUT FIRE IN WHICH THE POTS ARE PLACED. <lb/>D—ROCKS. E—ROWS OF POTS. F—UPPER POTS. G—LOWER POTS.</s></p><pb pagenum="428"/><p type="main"> |
| | |
| <s>The pots, lest they should become defective, are moulded from the best <lb/>potters' clay, for if there are defects the quicksilver flies out in the fumes. <lb/>If the fumes give out a very sweet odour it indicates that the quicksilver is <lb/>being lost, and since this loosens the teeth, the smelters and others standing by, <lb/>warned of the evil, turn their backs to the wind, which drives the fumes in <lb/>the opposite direction; for this reason, the building should be open around <lb/>the front and the sides, and exposed to the wind. </s> | <s>The pots, lest they should become defective, are moulded from the best <lb/>potters' clay, for if there are defects the quicksilver flies out in the fumes. <lb/></s> |
| | |
| | <s>If the fumes give out a very sweet odour it indicates that the quicksilver is <lb/>being lost, and since this loosens the teeth, the smelters and others standing by, <lb/>warned of the evil, turn their backs to the wind, which drives the fumes in <lb/>the opposite direction; for this reason, the building should be open around <lb/>the front and the sides, and exposed to the wind. </s> |
| | |
| <s>If these pots are made <lb/>of cast copper they last a long time in the fire. </s> | <s>If these pots are made <lb/>of cast copper they last a long time in the fire. </s> |
| | |
| |
| | |
| <s>Bismuth<emph type="sup"/>59<emph.end type="sup"/> ore, free from every kind of silver, is smelted by various <lb/>methods. </s> | <s>Bismuth<emph type="sup"/>59<emph.end type="sup"/> ore, free from every kind of silver, is smelted by various <lb/>methods. </s> |
| | |
| <s>First a small pit is dug in the dry ground; into this pulverised <lb/>charcoal is thrown and tamped in, and then it is dried with burning charcoal. <lb/>Afterward, thick dry pieces of beech wood are placed over the pit, and the <lb/>bismuth ore is thrown on it. </s> | <s>First a small pit is dug in the dry ground; into this pulverised <lb/>charcoal is thrown and tamped in, and then it is dried with burning charcoal. <lb/></s> |
| | |
| | <s>Afterward, thick dry pieces of beech wood are placed over the pit, and the <lb/>bismuth ore is thrown on it. </s> |
| | |
| <s>As soon as the kindled wood burns, the heated <lb/>ore drips with bismuth, which runs down into the pit, from which when cooled <lb/>the cakes are removed. </s> | <s>As soon as the kindled wood burns, the heated <lb/>ore drips with bismuth, which runs down into the pit, from which when cooled <lb/>the cakes are removed. </s> |
| | |
| |
| | |
| <s><emph type="bold"/>BOOK X.<emph.end type="bold"/></s></p><p type="main"> | <s><emph type="bold"/>BOOK X.<emph.end type="bold"/></s></p><p type="main"> |
| | |
| <s>Questions as to the methods of smelting ores and <lb/>of obtaining metals I discussed in Book IX. <lb/>Following this, I should explain in what manner the <lb/>precious metals are parted from the base metals, or <lb/>on the other hand the base metals from the precious<emph type="sup"/>1<emph.end type="sup"/>. <lb/>Frequently two metals, occasionally more than <lb/>two, are melted out of one ore, because in <lb/>nature generally there is some amount of gold in <lb/>silver and in copper, and some silver in gold, copper, <lb/>lead, and iron; likewise some copper in gold, silver, lead, and iron, and <lb/>some lead in silver; and lastly, some iron in copper<emph type="sup"/>2<emph.end type="sup"/>. </s> | <s>Questions as to the methods of smelting ores and <lb/>of obtaining metals I discussed in Book IX. <lb/></s> |
| | |
| | <s>Following this, I should explain in what manner the <lb/>precious metals are parted from the base metals, or <lb/>on the other hand the base metals from the precious<emph type="sup"/>1<emph.end type="sup"/>. <lb/></s> |
| | |
| | <s>Frequently two metals, occasionally more than <lb/>two, are melted out of one ore, because in <lb/>nature generally there is some amount of gold in <lb/>silver and in copper, and some silver in gold, copper, <lb/>lead, and iron; likewise some copper in gold, silver, lead, and iron, and <lb/>some lead in silver; and lastly, some iron in copper<emph type="sup"/>2<emph.end type="sup"/>. </s> |
| | |
| <s>But I will begin with <lb/>gold.</s></p><p type="main"> | <s>But I will begin with <lb/>gold.</s></p><p type="main"> |
| | |
| |
| | |
| <s>It is thrown into an earthen crucible lined on <lb/>the inside with litharge, and heated until it melts; then it is stirred with a <lb/>copper wire, and after it has cooled it is pounded to powder. </s> | <s>It is thrown into an earthen crucible lined on <lb/>the inside with litharge, and heated until it melts; then it is stirred with a <lb/>copper wire, and after it has cooled it is pounded to powder. </s> |
| | |
| <s>In the same <lb/>manner saltpetre melted by the fire is pounded to powder when it has cooled. <lb/>Some indeed place alum upon an iron plate, roast it, and make it into powder.</s></p><p type="main"> | <s>In the same <lb/>manner saltpetre melted by the fire is pounded to powder when it has cooled. <lb/></s> |
| | |
| | <s>Some indeed place alum upon an iron plate, roast it, and make it into powder.</s></p><p type="main"> |
| | |
| <s>Although all these <emph type="italics"/>aquae<emph.end type="italics"/> cleanse gold concentrates or dust from <lb/>impurities, yet there are certain compositions which possess singular power. <lb/><pb pagenum="441"/>The first of these consists of one <emph type="italics"/>libra<emph.end type="italics"/> of verdigris and three-quarters of <lb/>a <emph type="italics"/>líbra<emph.end type="italics"/> of vitriol. </s> | <s>Although all these <emph type="italics"/>aquae<emph.end type="italics"/> cleanse gold concentrates or dust from <lb/>impurities, yet there are certain compositions which possess singular power. <lb/><pb pagenum="441"/>The first of these consists of one <emph type="italics"/>libra<emph.end type="italics"/> of verdigris and three-quarters of <lb/>a <emph type="italics"/>líbra<emph.end type="italics"/> of vitriol. </s> |
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| |
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| <s>When the ingredients have been heated and the ampulla in which <lb/>they were placed is whitened with moisture, it is heated by a fiercer fire until <lb/>all the drops have been distilled<emph type="sup"/>8<emph.end type="sup"/>. </s> | <s>When the ingredients have been heated and the ampulla in which <lb/>they were placed is whitened with moisture, it is heated by a fiercer fire until <lb/>all the drops have been distilled<emph type="sup"/>8<emph.end type="sup"/>. </s> |
| | |
| <s>After the furnace has cooled, the <emph type="italics"/>aqua<emph.end type="italics"/> is <lb/>filtered and poured into a small glass ampulla, and into the same is put half <lb/>a <emph type="italics"/>drachma<emph.end type="italics"/> of silver<emph type="sup"/>9<emph.end type="sup"/>, which when dissolved makes the turbid <emph type="italics"/>aqua<emph.end type="italics"/> clear. <lb/>This is poured into the ampulla containing all the rest of the <emph type="italics"/>aqua,<emph.end type="italics"/> and as <lb/>soon as the lees have sunk to the bottom the <emph type="italics"/>aqua<emph.end type="italics"/> is poured off, removed, and <lb/>reserved for use.</s></p><p type="main"> | <s>After the furnace has cooled, the <emph type="italics"/>aqua<emph.end type="italics"/> is <lb/>filtered and poured into a small glass ampulla, and into the same is put half <lb/>a <emph type="italics"/>drachma<emph.end type="italics"/> of silver<emph type="sup"/>9<emph.end type="sup"/>, which when dissolved makes the turbid <emph type="italics"/>aqua<emph.end type="italics"/> clear. <lb/></s> |
| | |
| | <s>This is poured into the ampulla containing all the rest of the <emph type="italics"/>aqua,<emph.end type="italics"/> and as <lb/>soon as the lees have sunk to the bottom the <emph type="italics"/>aqua<emph.end type="italics"/> is poured off, removed, and <lb/>reserved for use.</s></p><p type="main"> |
| | |
| <s>Gold is parted from silver by the following method<emph type="sup"/>10<emph.end type="sup"/>. </s> | <s>Gold is parted from silver by the following method<emph type="sup"/>10<emph.end type="sup"/>. </s> |
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| |
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| <s>The ampulla is covered with a bladder or with waxed <lb/>linen, lest the contents exhale. </s> | <s>The ampulla is covered with a bladder or with waxed <lb/>linen, lest the contents exhale. </s> |
| | |
| <s>Then it is heated until the silver is dissolved, <lb/>the indication of which is the bubbling of the <emph type="italics"/>aqua.<emph.end type="italics"/> The gold remains in the <lb/>bottom, of a blackish colour, and the silver mixed with the <emph type="italics"/>aqua<emph.end type="italics"/> floats above. <lb/>Some pour the latter into a copper bowl and pour into it cold water, which <lb/>immediately congeals the silver; this they take out and dry, having poured <lb/>off the <emph type="italics"/>aqua<emph.end type="italics"/><emph type="sup"/>11<emph.end type="sup"/>. </s> | <s>Then it is heated until the silver is dissolved, <lb/>the indication of which is the bubbling of the <emph type="italics"/>aqua.<emph.end type="italics"/> The gold remains in the <lb/>bottom, of a blackish colour, and the silver mixed with the <emph type="italics"/>aqua<emph.end type="italics"/> floats above. <lb/></s> |
| | |
| | <s>Some pour the latter into a copper bowl and pour into it cold water, which <lb/>immediately congeals the silver; this they take out and dry, having poured <lb/>off the <emph type="italics"/>aqua<emph.end type="italics"/><emph type="sup"/>11<emph.end type="sup"/>. </s> |
| | |
| <s>They heat the dried silver in an earthenware crucible until <lb/>it melts, and when it is melted they pour it into an iron mould.</s></p><p type="main"> | <s>They heat the dried silver in an earthenware crucible until <lb/>it melts, and when it is melted they pour it into an iron mould.</s></p><p type="main"> |
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| |
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| <s>A glass ampulla, which bulges up inside at the bottom like a cone, is <lb/>covered on the lower part of the outside with lute in the way explained above, <lb/>and into it is put silver bullion weighing three and a half Roman <emph type="italics"/>librae.<emph.end type="italics"/> The <lb/><emph type="italics"/>aqua<emph.end type="italics"/> which parts the one from the other is poured into it, and the ampulla is <lb/>placed in sand contained in an earthen vessel, or in a box, that it may be <lb/>warmed with a gentle fire. </s> | <s>A glass ampulla, which bulges up inside at the bottom like a cone, is <lb/>covered on the lower part of the outside with lute in the way explained above, <lb/>and into it is put silver bullion weighing three and a half Roman <emph type="italics"/>librae.<emph.end type="italics"/> The <lb/><emph type="italics"/>aqua<emph.end type="italics"/> which parts the one from the other is poured into it, and the ampulla is <lb/>placed in sand contained in an earthen vessel, or in a box, that it may be <lb/>warmed with a gentle fire. </s> |
| | |
| <s>Lest the <emph type="italics"/>aqua<emph.end type="italics"/> should be exhaled, the top of the <lb/>ampulla is plastered on all sides with lute, and it is covered with a glass <lb/>operculum, under whose spout is placed another ampulla which receives the <lb/>distilled drops; this receiver is likewise arranged in a box containing sand. <lb/>When the contents are heated it reddens, but when the redness no <lb/>longer appears to increase, it is taken out of the vessel or box and shaken; <lb/>by this motion the <emph type="italics"/>aqua<emph.end type="italics"/> becomes heated again and grows red; if this is <lb/>done two or three times before other <emph type="italics"/>aqua<emph.end type="italics"/> is added to it, the operation is sooner <lb/>concluded, and much less <emph type="italics"/>aqua<emph.end type="italics"/> is consumed. </s> | <s>Lest the <emph type="italics"/>aqua<emph.end type="italics"/> should be exhaled, the top of the <lb/>ampulla is plastered on all sides with lute, and it is covered with a glass <lb/>operculum, under whose spout is placed another ampulla which receives the <lb/>distilled drops; this receiver is likewise arranged in a box containing sand. <lb/></s> |
| | |
| | <s>When the contents are heated it reddens, but when the redness no <lb/>longer appears to increase, it is taken out of the vessel or box and shaken; <lb/>by this motion the <emph type="italics"/>aqua<emph.end type="italics"/> becomes heated again and grows red; if this is <lb/>done two or three times before other <emph type="italics"/>aqua<emph.end type="italics"/> is added to it, the operation is sooner <lb/>concluded, and much less <emph type="italics"/>aqua<emph.end type="italics"/> is consumed. </s> |
| | |
| | <s>When the first charge has all <lb/>been distilled, as much silver as at first is again put into the ampulla, for if <lb/>too much were put in at once, the gold would be parted from it with difficulty. <lb/></s> |
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| <s>When the first charge has all <lb/>been distilled, as much silver as at first is again put into the ampulla, for if <lb/>too much were put in at once, the gold would be parted from it with difficulty. <lb/>Then the second <emph type="italics"/>aqua<emph.end type="italics"/> is poured in, but it is warmed in order that it and the <lb/>ampulla may be of equal temperature, so that the latter may not be cracked <lb/>by the cold; also if a cold wind blows on it, it is apt to crack. </s> | <s>Then the second <emph type="italics"/>aqua<emph.end type="italics"/> is poured in, but it is warmed in order that it and the <lb/>ampulla may be of equal temperature, so that the latter may not be cracked <lb/>by the cold; also if a cold wind blows on it, it is apt to crack. </s> |
| | |
| <s>Then the third <lb/><emph type="italics"/>aqua<emph.end type="italics"/> is poured in, and also if circumstances require it, the fourth, that is to <lb/>say more <emph type="italics"/>aqua<emph.end type="italics"/> and again more is poured in until the gold assumes the colour <lb/>of burned brick. </s> | <s>Then the third <lb/><emph type="italics"/>aqua<emph.end type="italics"/> is poured in, and also if circumstances require it, the fourth, that is to <lb/>say more <emph type="italics"/>aqua<emph.end type="italics"/> and again more is poured in until the gold assumes the colour <lb/>of burned brick. </s> |
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| |
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| <s>When the powerful vapour <lb/>appears, the <emph type="italics"/>aqua<emph.end type="italics"/> gives off a kind of oil, and the operculum becomes red. </s> | <s>When the powerful vapour <lb/>appears, the <emph type="italics"/>aqua<emph.end type="italics"/> gives off a kind of oil, and the operculum becomes red. </s> |
| | |
| <s>But, <lb/>lest the vapours should escape from the ampulla and the operculum in that <lb/>part where their mouths communicate, they are entirely sealed all round. <lb/>The <emph type="italics"/>aqua<emph.end type="italics"/> is boiled continually over a fiercer fire, and enough charcoal must be <lb/>put into the furnace so that the live coals touch the vessel. </s> | <s>But, <lb/>lest the vapours should escape from the ampulla and the operculum in that <lb/>part where their mouths communicate, they are entirely sealed all round. <lb/></s> |
| | |
| | <s>The <emph type="italics"/>aqua<emph.end type="italics"/> is boiled continually over a fiercer fire, and enough charcoal must be <lb/>put into the furnace so that the live coals touch the vessel. </s> |
| | |
| <s>The ampulla is <lb/>taken out as soon as all the <emph type="italics"/>aqua<emph.end type="italics"/> has been distilled, and the silver, which is dried <lb/>by the heat of the fire, alone remains in it; the silver is shaken out and put <lb/>in an earthenware crucible, and heated until it melts. </s> | <s>The ampulla is <lb/>taken out as soon as all the <emph type="italics"/>aqua<emph.end type="italics"/> has been distilled, and the silver, which is dried <lb/>by the heat of the fire, alone remains in it; the silver is shaken out and put <lb/>in an earthenware crucible, and heated until it melts. </s> |
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| |
| | |
| <s>If the ampulla breaks when the gold is being parted <lb/>from the silver or the silver from the <emph type="italics"/>aqua,<emph.end type="italics"/> the <emph type="italics"/>aqua<emph.end type="italics"/> will be absorbed by the <lb/>sand or the lute or the bricks, whereupon, without any delay, the red hot coals <lb/>should be taken out of the furnace and the fire extinguished. </s> | <s>If the ampulla breaks when the gold is being parted <lb/>from the silver or the silver from the <emph type="italics"/>aqua,<emph.end type="italics"/> the <emph type="italics"/>aqua<emph.end type="italics"/> will be absorbed by the <lb/>sand or the lute or the bricks, whereupon, without any delay, the red hot coals <lb/>should be taken out of the furnace and the fire extinguished. </s> |
| | |
| <s>The sand and <lb/>bricks after being crushed should be thrown into a copper vessel, warm water. <lb/>should be poured over them, and they should be put aside for the space of <lb/>twelve hours; afterward the water should be strained through a canvas, and <lb/>the canvas, since it contains silver, should be dried by the heat of the sun or <lb/>the fire, and then placed in an earthen crucible and heated until the silver <lb/>melts, this being poured out into an iron mould. </s> | <s>The sand and <lb/>bricks after being crushed should be thrown into a copper vessel, warm water. <lb/></s> |
| | |
| | <s>should be poured over them, and they should be put aside for the space of <lb/>twelve hours; afterward the water should be strained through a canvas, and <lb/>the canvas, since it contains silver, should be dried by the heat of the sun or <lb/>the fire, and then placed in an earthen crucible and heated until the silver <lb/>melts, this being poured out into an iron mould. </s> |
| | |
| <s>The strained water should <lb/>be poured into an ampulla and separated from the silver, of which it contains <lb/>a minute portion; the sand should be mixed with litharge, glass-galls, <lb/>argol, saltpetre, and salt, and heated in an earthen crucible. </s> | <s>The strained water should <lb/>be poured into an ampulla and separated from the silver, of which it contains <lb/>a minute portion; the sand should be mixed with litharge, glass-galls, <lb/>argol, saltpetre, and salt, and heated in an earthen crucible. </s> |
| | |
| |
| | |
| <s>We also separate silver from gold by the same method when we assay <lb/>them. </s> | <s>We also separate silver from gold by the same method when we assay <lb/>them. </s> |
| | |
| <s>For this purpose the alloy is first rubbed against a touchstone, in <lb/>order to learn what proportion of silver there is in it; then as much silver <lb/>as is necessary is added to the argentiferous gold, in a <emph type="italics"/>bes<emph.end type="italics"/> of which there <lb/>must be less than a <emph type="italics"/>semí-uncía<emph.end type="italics"/> or a <emph type="italics"/>semí-uncía<emph.end type="italics"/> and a <emph type="italics"/>sicilicus<emph.end type="italics"/><emph type="sup"/>14<emph.end type="sup"/> of copper. <lb/>After lead has been added, it is melted in a cupel until the lead and the <lb/>copper have exhaled, then the alloy of gold with silver is flattened out, and <lb/>little tubes are made of the leaves; these are put into a glass ampulla, <lb/>and strong <emph type="italics"/>aqua<emph.end type="italics"/> is poured over them two or three times. </s> | <s>For this purpose the alloy is first rubbed against a touchstone, in <lb/>order to learn what proportion of silver there is in it; then as much silver <lb/>as is necessary is added to the argentiferous gold, in a <emph type="italics"/>bes<emph.end type="italics"/> of which there <lb/>must be less than a <emph type="italics"/>semí-uncía<emph.end type="italics"/> or a <emph type="italics"/>semí-uncía<emph.end type="italics"/> and a <emph type="italics"/>sicilicus<emph.end type="italics"/><emph type="sup"/>14<emph.end type="sup"/> of copper. <lb/></s> |
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| | <s>After lead has been added, it is melted in a cupel until the lead and the <lb/>copper have exhaled, then the alloy of gold with silver is flattened out, and <lb/>little tubes are made of the leaves; these are put into a glass ampulla, <lb/>and strong <emph type="italics"/>aqua<emph.end type="italics"/> is poured over them two or three times. </s> |
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| <s>The tubes after <lb/>this are absolutely pure, with the exception of only a quarter of a <emph type="italics"/>siliqua,<emph.end type="italics"/><lb/>which is silver; for only this much silver remains in eight <emph type="italics"/>uncíae<emph.end type="italics"/> of gold<emph type="sup"/>15<emph.end type="sup"/>.<lb/><lb/></s></p><pb pagenum="448"/><p type="main"> | <s>The tubes after <lb/>this are absolutely pure, with the exception of only a quarter of a <emph type="italics"/>siliqua,<emph.end type="italics"/><lb/>which is silver; for only this much silver remains in eight <emph type="italics"/>uncíae<emph.end type="italics"/> of gold<emph type="sup"/>15<emph.end type="sup"/>.<lb/><lb/></s></p><pb pagenum="448"/><p type="main"> |
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| <s>The pot is opened, </s></p><pb pagenum="449"/><figure></figure><p type="caption"> | <s>The pot is opened, </s></p><pb pagenum="449"/><figure></figure><p type="caption"> |
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| <s>A—POT. B—CIRCULAR FIRE. C—CRUCIBLES. D—THEIR LIDS. E—LID OF THE POT. <lb/>F—FURNACE. G—IRON ROD.<lb/>the black-coloured granules are taken out, and afterward thirty-three <emph type="italics"/>librae<emph.end type="italics"/><lb/>of these granules are placed in an earthen crucible, if it has such capacity. <lb/>For every <emph type="italics"/>líbra<emph.end type="italics"/> of silver granules, weighed before they were sprinkled with <pb pagenum="450"/>sulphur, there is weighed out also a sixth of a <emph type="italics"/>líbra<emph.end type="italics"/> and a <emph type="italics"/>sicílícus<emph.end type="italics"/> of <lb/>copper, if each <emph type="italics"/>libra<emph.end type="italics"/> consists either of three-quarters of a <emph type="italics"/>líbra<emph.end type="italics"/> of silver and <lb/>a quarter of a <emph type="italics"/>libra<emph.end type="italics"/> of copper, or of three-quarters of a <emph type="italics"/>libra<emph.end type="italics"/> and a <lb/><emph type="italics"/>semí-uncia<emph.end type="italics"/> of silver and a sixth of a <emph type="italics"/>libra<emph.end type="italics"/> and a <emph type="italics"/>semí-uncía<emph.end type="italics"/> of copper. </s> | <s>A—POT. B—CIRCULAR FIRE. C—CRUCIBLES. D—THEIR LIDS. E—LID OF THE POT. <lb/>F—FURNACE. G—IRON ROD.<lb/>the black-coloured granules are taken out, and afterward thirty-three <emph type="italics"/>librae<emph.end type="italics"/><lb/>of these granules are placed in an earthen crucible, if it has such capacity. <lb/></s> |
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| | <s>For every <emph type="italics"/>líbra<emph.end type="italics"/> of silver granules, weighed before they were sprinkled with <pb pagenum="450"/>sulphur, there is weighed out also a sixth of a <emph type="italics"/>líbra<emph.end type="italics"/> and a <emph type="italics"/>sicílícus<emph.end type="italics"/> of <lb/>copper, if each <emph type="italics"/>libra<emph.end type="italics"/> consists either of three-quarters of a <emph type="italics"/>líbra<emph.end type="italics"/> of silver and <lb/>a quarter of a <emph type="italics"/>libra<emph.end type="italics"/> of copper, or of three-quarters of a <emph type="italics"/>libra<emph.end type="italics"/> and a <lb/><emph type="italics"/>semí-uncia<emph.end type="italics"/> of silver and a sixth of a <emph type="italics"/>libra<emph.end type="italics"/> and a <emph type="italics"/>semí-uncía<emph.end type="italics"/> of copper. </s> |
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| <s>If, <lb/>however, the silver contains five-sixths of a <emph type="italics"/>libra<emph.end type="italics"/> of silver and a sixth of a <lb/><emph type="italics"/>líbra<emph.end type="italics"/> of copper, or five-sixths of a <emph type="italics"/>líbra<emph.end type="italics"/> and a <emph type="italics"/>semí-uncía<emph.end type="italics"/> of silver and an <emph type="italics"/>uncía<emph.end type="italics"/><lb/>and a half of copper, then there are weighed out a quarter of a <emph type="italics"/>libra<emph.end type="italics"/> of copper <lb/>granules. </s> | <s>If, <lb/>however, the silver contains five-sixths of a <emph type="italics"/>libra<emph.end type="italics"/> of silver and a sixth of a <lb/><emph type="italics"/>líbra<emph.end type="italics"/> of copper, or five-sixths of a <emph type="italics"/>líbra<emph.end type="italics"/> and a <emph type="italics"/>semí-uncía<emph.end type="italics"/> of silver and an <emph type="italics"/>uncía<emph.end type="italics"/><lb/>and a half of copper, then there are weighed out a quarter of a <emph type="italics"/>libra<emph.end type="italics"/> of copper <lb/>granules. </s> |
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| <s>Silver is also parted from gold by means of <emph type="italics"/>stíbíum<emph.end type="italics"/><emph type="sup"/>17<emph.end type="sup"/>. </s> | <s>Silver is also parted from gold by means of <emph type="italics"/>stíbíum<emph.end type="italics"/><emph type="sup"/>17<emph.end type="sup"/>. </s> |
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| <s>If in a <emph type="italics"/>bes of<emph.end type="italics"/><lb/>gold there are seven, or six, or five double <emph type="italics"/>sextulae<emph.end type="italics"/> of silver, then three parts <lb/>of <emph type="italics"/>stibium<emph.end type="italics"/> are added to one part of gold; but in order that the <emph type="italics"/>stibium<emph.end type="italics"/> should <lb/>not consume the gold, it is melted with copper in a red hot earthern crucible. <lb/>If the gold contains some portion of copper, then to eight <emph type="italics"/>unciae<emph.end type="italics"/> of <emph type="italics"/>stibium<emph.end type="italics"/><pb pagenum="452"/>a <emph type="italics"/>sicilicus<emph.end type="italics"/> of copper is added; and if it contains no copper, then half an <lb/><emph type="italics"/>uncia,<emph.end type="italics"/> because copper must be added to <emph type="italics"/>stibium<emph.end type="italics"/> in order to part gold from <lb/>silver. </s> | <s>If in a <emph type="italics"/>bes of<emph.end type="italics"/><lb/>gold there are seven, or six, or five double <emph type="italics"/>sextulae<emph.end type="italics"/> of silver, then three parts <lb/>of <emph type="italics"/>stibium<emph.end type="italics"/> are added to one part of gold; but in order that the <emph type="italics"/>stibium<emph.end type="italics"/> should <lb/>not consume the gold, it is melted with copper in a red hot earthern crucible. <lb/></s> |
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| | <s>If the gold contains some portion of copper, then to eight <emph type="italics"/>unciae<emph.end type="italics"/> of <emph type="italics"/>stibium<emph.end type="italics"/><pb pagenum="452"/>a <emph type="italics"/>sicilicus<emph.end type="italics"/> of copper is added; and if it contains no copper, then half an <lb/><emph type="italics"/>uncia,<emph.end type="italics"/> because copper must be added to <emph type="italics"/>stibium<emph.end type="italics"/> in order to part gold from <lb/>silver. </s> |
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| <s>The gold is first placed in a red hot earthen crucible, and when <lb/>melted it swells, and a little <emph type="italics"/>stibium<emph.end type="italics"/> is added to it lest it run over; in a <lb/>short space of time, when this has melted, it likewise again swells, and <lb/>when this occurs it is advisable to put in all the remainder of the <emph type="italics"/>stibium,<emph.end type="italics"/><lb/>and to cover the crucible with a lid, and then to heat the mixture for the <lb/>time required to walk thirty-five paces. </s> | <s>The gold is first placed in a red hot earthen crucible, and when <lb/>melted it swells, and a little <emph type="italics"/>stibium<emph.end type="italics"/> is added to it lest it run over; in a <lb/>short space of time, when this has melted, it likewise again swells, and <lb/>when this occurs it is advisable to put in all the remainder of the <emph type="italics"/>stibium,<emph.end type="italics"/><lb/>and to cover the crucible with a lid, and then to heat the mixture for the <lb/>time required to walk thirty-five paces. </s> |
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| <s>These are again washed in a <lb/>little vessel, with warm water, and scrubbed with a piece of wood or a twig <lb/>broom, that the moistened cement may be detached. </s> | <s>These are again washed in a <lb/>little vessel, with warm water, and scrubbed with a piece of wood or a twig <lb/>broom, that the moistened cement may be detached. </s> |
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| <s>Afterward all the gold <lb/>is again washed with warm water, and collected with a bristle brush, and should <lb/>be washed in a copper full of holes, under which is placed a little vessel. <lb/>Then it is necessary to put the gold on an iron plate, under which is a vessel, <pb pagenum="457"/>and to wash it with warm water. </s> | <s>Afterward all the gold <lb/>is again washed with warm water, and collected with a bristle brush, and should <lb/>be washed in a copper full of holes, under which is placed a little vessel. <lb/></s> |
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| | <s>Then it is necessary to put the gold on an iron plate, under which is a vessel, <pb pagenum="457"/>and to wash it with warm water. </s> |
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| <s>Finally, it is placed in a bowl, and, when <lb/>dry, the granules or leaves are rubbed against a touchstone at the same time <lb/>as a touch-needle, and considered carefully as to whether they be pure or <lb/>alloyed. </s> | <s>Finally, it is placed in a bowl, and, when <lb/>dry, the granules or leaves are rubbed against a touchstone at the same time <lb/>as a touch-needle, and considered carefully as to whether they be pure or <lb/>alloyed. </s> |
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| <s>The gilt goblet or other article <lb/>is smeared with oil, and the powder is dusted on; the article is seized in the <lb/>hand, or with tongs, and is carried to the fire and sharply tapped, and by this <lb/>means the gold falls into water in vessels placed underneath, while the <lb/>goblet remains uninjured.</s></p><pb pagenum="461"/><p type="main"> | <s>The gilt goblet or other article <lb/>is smeared with oil, and the powder is dusted on; the article is seized in the <lb/>hand, or with tongs, and is carried to the fire and sharply tapped, and by this <lb/>means the gold falls into water in vessels placed underneath, while the <lb/>goblet remains uninjured.</s></p><pb pagenum="461"/><p type="main"> |
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| <s>Gold is also parted from silver on gilt articles by means of quicksilver. <lb/>This is poured into an earthen crucible, and so warmed by the fire that the <lb/>finger can bear the heat when dipped into it; the silver-gilt objects are <lb/>placed in it, and when the quicksilver adheres to them they are taken out <lb/>and placed on a dish, into which, when cooled, the gold falls, together with the <lb/>quicksilver. </s> | <s>Gold is also parted from silver on gilt articles by means of quicksilver. <lb/></s> |
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| | <s>This is poured into an earthen crucible, and so warmed by the fire that the <lb/>finger can bear the heat when dipped into it; the silver-gilt objects are <lb/>placed in it, and when the quicksilver adheres to them they are taken out <lb/>and placed on a dish, into which, when cooled, the gold falls, together with the <lb/>quicksilver. </s> |
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| <s>Again and frequently the same silver-gilt object is placed in <lb/>heated quicksilver, and the same process is continued until at last no <lb/>more gold is visible on the object; then the object is placed in the fire, and <lb/>the quicksilver which adheres to it is exhaled. </s> | <s>Again and frequently the same silver-gilt object is placed in <lb/>heated quicksilver, and the same process is continued until at last no <lb/>more gold is visible on the object; then the object is placed in the fire, and <lb/>the quicksilver which adheres to it is exhaled. </s> |
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| <s>The <lb/>middle wall of such a building is twenty-one feet long and fifteen feet high, and <lb/>from this a front wall is distant fifteen feet toward the river; the rear wall <pb pagenum="465"/>is nineteen feet distant, and both these walls are thirty-six feet long and <lb/>fourteen feet high; a transverse wall extends from the end of the front wall to <lb/>the end of the rear wall; then fifteen feet back a second transverse wall <lb/>is built out from the front wall to the end of the middle wall. </s> | <s>The <lb/>middle wall of such a building is twenty-one feet long and fifteen feet high, and <lb/>from this a front wall is distant fifteen feet toward the river; the rear wall <pb pagenum="465"/>is nineteen feet distant, and both these walls are thirty-six feet long and <lb/>fourteen feet high; a transverse wall extends from the end of the front wall to <lb/>the end of the rear wall; then fifteen feet back a second transverse wall <lb/>is built out from the front wall to the end of the middle wall. </s> |
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| <s>In that space <lb/>which is between those two transverse walls are set up the stamps, by means <lb/>of which the ores and the necessary ingredients for smelting are broken up. <lb/>From the further end of the front wall, a third transverse wall leads to the <lb/>other end of the middle wall, and from the same to the end of the rear wall. <lb/>The space between the second and third transverse walls, and between the <lb/>rear and middle long walls, contains the cupellation furnace, in which lead <pb pagenum="466"/>is separated from gold or silver. </s> | <s>In that space <lb/>which is between those two transverse walls are set up the stamps, by means <lb/>of which the ores and the necessary ingredients for smelting are broken up. <lb/></s> |
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| | <s>From the further end of the front wall, a third transverse wall leads to the <lb/>other end of the middle wall, and from the same to the end of the rear wall. <lb/></s> |
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| | <s>The space between the second and third transverse walls, and between the <lb/>rear and middle long walls, contains the cupellation furnace, in which lead <pb pagenum="466"/>is separated from gold or silver. </s> |
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| <s>The vertical wall of its chimney is <lb/>erected upon the middle wall, and the sloping chimney-wall rests on the <lb/>beams which extend from the second transverse wall to the third; these are <lb/>so located that they are at a distance of thirteen feet from the middle long <lb/>wall and four from the rear wall, and they are two feet wide and thick. <lb/>From the ground up to the roof-beams is twelve feet, and lest the sloping <lb/>chimney-wall should fall down, it is partly supported by means of many <lb/>iron rods, and partly by means of a few tie-beams covered with lute, which <lb/>extend from the small beams of the sloping chimney-wall to the beams of the <lb/>vertical chimney-wall. </s> | <s>The vertical wall of its chimney is <lb/>erected upon the middle wall, and the sloping chimney-wall rests on the <lb/>beams which extend from the second transverse wall to the third; these are <lb/>so located that they are at a distance of thirteen feet from the middle long <lb/>wall and four from the rear wall, and they are two feet wide and thick. <lb/></s> |
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| | <s>From the ground up to the roof-beams is twelve feet, and lest the sloping <lb/>chimney-wall should fall down, it is partly supported by means of many <lb/>iron rods, and partly by means of a few tie-beams covered with lute, which <lb/>extend from the small beams of the sloping chimney-wall to the beams of the <lb/>vertical chimney-wall. </s> |
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| <s>The rear roof is arranged in the same way as the roof <pb pagenum="467"/>of the works in which ore is smelted. </s> | <s>The rear roof is arranged in the same way as the roof <pb pagenum="467"/>of the works in which ore is smelted. </s> |
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| <s>In the space between the middle and <lb/>the front long walls and between the second<emph type="sup"/>27<emph.end type="sup"/> and the third transverse walls are <lb/>the bellows, the machinery for depressing and the instrument for raising them. <lb/>A drum on the axle of a water-wheel has rundles which turn the toothed <lb/>drum of an axle, whose long cams depress the levers of the bellows, and also <lb/>another toothed drum on an axle, whose cams raise the tappets of the stamps, <lb/>but in the opposite direction. </s> | <s>In the space between the middle and <lb/>the front long walls and between the second<emph type="sup"/>27<emph.end type="sup"/> and the third transverse walls are <lb/>the bellows, the machinery for depressing and the instrument for raising them. <lb/></s> |
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| | <s>A drum on the axle of a water-wheel has rundles which turn the toothed <lb/>drum of an axle, whose long cams depress the levers of the bellows, and also <lb/>another toothed drum on an axle, whose cams raise the tappets of the stamps, <lb/>but in the opposite direction. </s> |
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| <s>So that if the cams which depress the levers <lb/>of the bellows turn from north to south, the cams of the stamps turn from <lb/>south to north.</s></p><p type="main"> | <s>So that if the cams which depress the levers <lb/>of the bellows turn from north to south, the cams of the stamps turn from <lb/>south to north.</s></p><p type="main"> |
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| <s>A circular wall is built four <lb/>feet and three palms high, and one foot thick; from the height of two feet <lb/>and three palms from the bottom, the upper part of the interior is cut away <lb/>to the width of one palm, so that the stone sole may rest upon it. </s> | <s>A circular wall is built four <lb/>feet and three palms high, and one foot thick; from the height of two feet <lb/>and three palms from the bottom, the upper part of the interior is cut away <lb/>to the width of one palm, so that the stone sole may rest upon it. </s> |
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| <s>There are <lb/>usually as many as fourteen stones; on the outside they are a foot and a <lb/>palm wide, and on the inside narrower, because the inner circle is much <lb/>smaller than the outer; if the stones are wider, fewer are required, if <lb/>narrower more; they are sunk into the earth to a depth of a foot and a palm. <lb/>At the top each one is joined to the next by an iron staple, the points of <lb/>which are embedded in holes, and into each hole is poured molten lead. </s> | <s>There are <lb/>usually as many as fourteen stones; on the outside they are a foot and a <lb/>palm wide, and on the inside narrower, because the inner circle is much <lb/>smaller than the outer; if the stones are wider, fewer are required, if <lb/>narrower more; they are sunk into the earth to a depth of a foot and a palm. <lb/></s> |
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| | <s>At the top each one is joined to the next by an iron staple, the points of <lb/>which are embedded in holes, and into each hole is poured molten lead. </s> |
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| <s>This <lb/>stone structure has six air-holes near the ground, at a height of a foot above <lb/>the ground; they are two feet and a palm from the bottom of the stones; <lb/>each of these air-holes is in two stones, and is two palms high, and a palm and <lb/>three digits wide. </s> | <s>This <lb/>stone structure has six air-holes near the ground, at a height of a foot above <lb/>the ground; they are two feet and a palm from the bottom of the stones; <lb/>each of these air-holes is in two stones, and is two palms high, and a palm and <lb/>three digits wide. </s> |
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| <s>There are four air-holes in <lb/>these, one in each part, which are about one digit's breadth higher and wider <lb/>than the others. </s> | <s>There are four air-holes in <lb/>these, one in each part, which are about one digit's breadth higher and wider <lb/>than the others. </s> |
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| <s>Into the four compartments is thrown a wheelbarrowful <lb/>of slag, and over this is placed a large wicker basket full of charcoal dust. <lb/>These walls extend a cubit above the ground, and on these, and on the ledge <lb/>cut in the rectangular stones, is placed the stone sole; this sole is a palm and <lb/>three digits thick, and on all sides touches the rectangular stones; if there <lb/>are any cracks in it they are filled up with fragments of stone or brick. </s> | <s>Into the four compartments is thrown a wheelbarrowful <lb/>of slag, and over this is placed a large wicker basket full of charcoal dust. <lb/></s> |
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| | <s>These walls extend a cubit above the ground, and on these, and on the ledge <lb/>cut in the rectangular stones, is placed the stone sole; this sole is a palm and <lb/>three digits thick, and on all sides touches the rectangular stones; if there <lb/>are any cracks in it they are filled up with fragments of stone or brick. </s> |
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| <s>The <lb/>front part of the sole is sloped so that a channel can be made, through which <pb pagenum="468"/>the litharge flows out. </s> | <s>The <lb/>front part of the sole is sloped so that a channel can be made, through which <pb pagenum="468"/>the litharge flows out. </s> |
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| <s>It con­<lb/>sists of iron bands and of bars and of a lid. </s> | <s>It con­<lb/>sists of iron bands and of bars and of a lid. </s> |
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| <s>There are three bands, each about <lb/>a palm wide and a digit thick; the lowest is at a distance of one foot from the <lb/>middle one, and the middle one a distance of two feet from the upper one. <lb/>Under them are eighteen iron bars fixed by iron rivets; these bars are of <lb/>the same width and thickness as the bands, and they are of such a length, that <lb/>curving, they reach from the lower band to the upper, that is two feet and <lb/>three palms long, while the dome is only one foot and three palms high. </s> | <s>There are three bands, each about <lb/>a palm wide and a digit thick; the lowest is at a distance of one foot from the <lb/>middle one, and the middle one a distance of two feet from the upper one. <lb/></s> |
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| | <s>Under them are eighteen iron bars fixed by iron rivets; these bars are of <lb/>the same width and thickness as the bands, and they are of such a length, that <lb/>curving, they reach from the lower band to the upper, that is two feet and <lb/>three palms long, while the dome is only one foot and three palms high. </s> |
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| <s>All <lb/>the bars and bands of the dome have iron plates fastened on the underside <lb/>with iron wire. </s> | <s>All <lb/>the bars and bands of the dome have iron plates fastened on the underside <lb/>with iron wire. </s> |
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| <s>A—RECTANGULAR STONES. B—SOLE-STONE. C—AIR-HOLES. D—INTERNAL WALLS. <lb/>E—DOME. F—CRUCIBLE. G—BANDS. H—BARS. I—APERTURES IN THE DOME. <lb/>K—LID OF THE DOME. L—RINGS. M—PIPES. N—VALVES. O—CHAINS.<pb pagenum="469"/>channel, is two and a half feet wide at the bottom, and two feet and a palm <lb/>at the top; and there is likewise no bar at this point; indeed, not only does <lb/>the bar not extend to the lower band, but the lower band itself does not <lb/>extend over this part, in order that the master can draw the litharge out <lb/>of the crucible. </s> | <s>A—RECTANGULAR STONES. B—SOLE-STONE. C—AIR-HOLES. D—INTERNAL WALLS. <lb/>E—DOME. F—CRUCIBLE. G—BANDS. H—BARS. I—APERTURES IN THE DOME. <lb/>K—LID OF THE DOME. L—RINGS. M—PIPES. N—VALVES. O—CHAINS.<pb pagenum="469"/>channel, is two and a half feet wide at the bottom, and two feet and a palm <lb/>at the top; and there is likewise no bar at this point; indeed, not only does <lb/>the bar not extend to the lower band, but the lower band itself does not <lb/>extend over this part, in order that the master can draw the litharge out <lb/>of the crucible. </s> |
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| <s>There are besides, in the wall which protects the principal <lb/>wall against the heat, near where the nozzles of the bellows are situated, <lb/>two apertures, three palms wide and about a foot high, in the middle <lb/>of which two rods descend, fastened on the inside with plates. <lb/>Near these apertures are placed the nozzles of the bellows, and through <lb/>the apertures extend the pipes in which the nozzles of the bellows are <lb/>set. </s> | <s>There are besides, in the wall which protects the principal <lb/>wall against the heat, near where the nozzles of the bellows are situated, <lb/>two apertures, three palms wide and about a foot high, in the middle <lb/>of which two rods descend, fastened on the inside with plates. <lb/></s> |
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| | <s>Near these apertures are placed the nozzles of the bellows, and through <lb/>the apertures extend the pipes in which the nozzles of the bellows are <lb/>set. </s> |
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| <s>These pipes are made of iron plates rolled up; they are two <lb/>palms three digits long, and their inside diameter is three and a half <lb/>digits; into these two pipes the nozzles of the bellows penetrate a distance of <lb/>three digits from their valves. </s> | <s>These pipes are made of iron plates rolled up; they are two <lb/>palms three digits long, and their inside diameter is three and a half <lb/>digits; into these two pipes the nozzles of the bellows penetrate a distance of <lb/>three digits from their valves. </s> |
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| <s>The ashes <lb/>are those from which lye has been made by letting water percolate <lb/>through them, for other ashes which are fatty would have to be burnt <lb/>again in order to make them less fat. </s> | <s>The ashes <lb/>are those from which lye has been made by letting water percolate <lb/>through them, for other ashes which are fatty would have to be burnt <lb/>again in order to make them less fat. </s> |
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| <s>When he has made the ashes <lb/>smooth by pressing them with his hands, he makes the crucible slope down <lb/>toward the middle; then he tamps it, as I have described, with a rammer. <lb/>He afterward, with two small wooden rammers, one held in each hand, <lb/>forms the channel through which the litharge flows out. </s> | <s>When he has made the ashes <lb/>smooth by pressing them with his hands, he makes the crucible slope down <lb/>toward the middle; then he tamps it, as I have described, with a rammer. <lb/></s> |
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| | <s>He afterward, with two small wooden rammers, one held in each hand, <lb/>forms the channel through which the litharge flows out. </s> |
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| <s>The heads of these <lb/>small rammers are each a palm wide, two digits thick, and one foot high; <lb/>the handle of each is somewhat rounded, is a digit and a half less in </s></p><pb/><figure></figure><p type="caption"> | <s>The heads of these <lb/>small rammers are each a palm wide, two digits thick, and one foot high; <lb/>the handle of each is somewhat rounded, is a digit and a half less in </s></p><pb/><figure></figure><p type="caption"> |
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| <s>Now when the colour begins to show in the silver, bright spots appear, <lb/>some of them being almost white, and a moment afterward it becomes <lb/>absolutely white. </s> | <s>Now when the colour begins to show in the silver, bright spots appear, <lb/>some of them being almost white, and a moment afterward it becomes <lb/>absolutely white. </s> |
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| <s>Then the assistant lets down the water-gates, so that, the <lb/>race being closed, the water-wheel ceases to turn and the bellows are still. <lb/>Then the master pours several buckets of water on to the silver to cool it; <lb/>others pour beer over it to make it whiter, but this is of no importance since <lb/>the silver has yet to be refined. </s> | <s>Then the assistant lets down the water-gates, so that, the <lb/>race being closed, the water-wheel ceases to turn and the bellows are still. <lb/></s> |
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| | <s>Then the master pours several buckets of water on to the silver to cool it; <lb/>others pour beer over it to make it whiter, but this is of no importance since <lb/>the silver has yet to be refined. </s> |
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| <s>Afterward, the cake of silver is raised with <lb/>the pointed iron bar, which is three feet long and two digits wide, and has a <lb/>wooden handle four feet long fixed in its socket. </s> | <s>Afterward, the cake of silver is raised with <lb/>the pointed iron bar, which is three feet long and two digits wide, and has a <lb/>wooden handle four feet long fixed in its socket. </s> |
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| <s>When the cake of silver has <lb/>been taken from the crucible, it is laid upon a stone, and from part of it the <lb/>hearth-lead, and from the other part the litharge, is chipped away with a <lb/>hammer; then it is cleansed with a bundle of brass wire dipped in water. <lb/>When the lead is separated from the silver, more silver is frequently found <lb/>than when it was assayed; for instance, if before there were three <emph type="italics"/>uncíae<emph.end type="italics"/> and <lb/>as many <emph type="italics"/>drachmae<emph.end type="italics"/> in a <emph type="italics"/>centumpondíum,<emph.end type="italics"/> they now sometimes find three <emph type="italics"/>uncíae<emph.end type="italics"/><lb/>and a half<emph type="sup"/>36<emph.end type="sup"/>. </s> | <s>When the cake of silver has <lb/>been taken from the crucible, it is laid upon a stone, and from part of it the <lb/>hearth-lead, and from the other part the litharge, is chipped away with a <lb/>hammer; then it is cleansed with a bundle of brass wire dipped in water. <lb/></s> |
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| | <s>When the lead is separated from the silver, more silver is frequently found <lb/>than when it was assayed; for instance, if before there were three <emph type="italics"/>uncíae<emph.end type="italics"/> and <lb/>as many <emph type="italics"/>drachmae<emph.end type="italics"/> in a <emph type="italics"/>centumpondíum,<emph.end type="italics"/> they now sometimes find three <emph type="italics"/>uncíae<emph.end type="italics"/><lb/>and a half<emph type="sup"/>36<emph.end type="sup"/>. </s> |
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| <s>Often the hearth-lead remaining in the crucible is a palm <lb/>deep; it is taken out with the rest of the ashes and is sifted, and that which <lb/>remains in the sieve, since it is hearth-lead, is added to the hearth-lead<emph type="sup"/>37<emph.end type="sup"/>.<lb/><lb/><lb/></s></p><pb pagenum="476"/><figure></figure><p type="caption"> | <s>Often the hearth-lead remaining in the crucible is a palm <lb/>deep; it is taken out with the rest of the ashes and is sifted, and that which <lb/>remains in the sieve, since it is hearth-lead, is added to the hearth-lead<emph type="sup"/>37<emph.end type="sup"/>.<lb/><lb/><lb/></s></p><pb pagenum="476"/><figure></figure><p type="caption"> |
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| <s>A—CAKE. B—STONE. C—HAMMER. D—BRASS WIRE. E—BUCKET CONTAINING WATER. <lb/>F—FURNACE FROM WHICH THE CAKE HAS BEEN TAKEN, WHICH IS STILL SMOKING. <lb/>G—LABOURER CARRYING A CAKE OUT OF THE WORKS.</s></p><p type="main"> | <s>A—CAKE. B—STONE. C—HAMMER. D—BRASS WIRE. E—BUCKET CONTAINING WATER. <lb/>F—FURNACE FROM WHICH THE CAKE HAS BEEN TAKEN, WHICH IS STILL SMOKING. <lb/>G—LABOURER CARRYING A CAKE OUT OF THE WORKS.</s></p><p type="main"> |
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| <s>The ashes which pass through the sieve are of the same use as they were <lb/>at first, for, indeed, from these and pulverised bones they make the cupels. <lb/>Finally, when much of it has accumulated, the yellow <emph type="italics"/>pompholyx<emph.end type="italics"/> adhering to <lb/>the walls of the furnace, and likewise to those rings of the dome near the <lb/>apertures, is cleared away.</s></p><p type="main"> | <s>The ashes which pass through the sieve are of the same use as they were <lb/>at first, for, indeed, from these and pulverised bones they make the cupels. <lb/></s> |
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| | <s>Finally, when much of it has accumulated, the yellow <emph type="italics"/>pompholyx<emph.end type="italics"/> adhering to <lb/>the walls of the furnace, and likewise to those rings of the dome near the <lb/>apertures, is cleared away.</s></p><p type="main"> |
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| <s>I must also describe the crane with which the dome is raised. </s> | <s>I must also describe the crane with which the dome is raised. </s> |
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| <s>Between this disc <lb/>and the disc of the toothed wheel another drum is made, having likewise five <lb/>rundles. </s> | <s>Between this disc <lb/>and the disc of the toothed wheel another drum is made, having likewise five <lb/>rundles. </s> |
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| <s>There is, in addition to this second axle, at a height of a cubit <lb/>above it, a small wooden axle, the journals of which are of iron; the ends <lb/>are bound round with iron rings so that the journals may remain firmly fixed, <lb/>and the journals, like the little iron axles, turn in bronze or iron bearings. <lb/>This third axle is at a distance of about a cubit from the upper small cross­<lb/>beam; it has, near the upright timber, a toothed wheel two and a half feet <lb/>in diameter, on the rim of which are twenty-seven teeth; the other part of <lb/>this axle, near the crane-post, is covered with iron plates, lest it should be worn <lb/>away by the chain which winds around it. </s> | <s>There is, in addition to this second axle, at a height of a cubit <lb/>above it, a small wooden axle, the journals of which are of iron; the ends <lb/>are bound round with iron rings so that the journals may remain firmly fixed, <lb/>and the journals, like the little iron axles, turn in bronze or iron bearings. <lb/></s> |
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| | <s>This third axle is at a distance of about a cubit from the upper small cross­<lb/>beam; it has, near the upright timber, a toothed wheel two and a half feet <lb/>in diameter, on the rim of which are twenty-seven teeth; the other part of <lb/>this axle, near the crane-post, is covered with iron plates, lest it should be worn <lb/>away by the chain which winds around it. </s> |
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| <s>The end link of the chain is fixed <lb/>in an iron pin driven into the little axle; this chain passes out of the frame <lb/>and turns over a little pulley set between the beams of the crane-arm.</s></p><p type="main"> | <s>The end link of the chain is fixed <lb/>in an iron pin driven into the little axle; this chain passes out of the frame <lb/>and turns over a little pulley set between the beams of the crane-arm.</s></p><p type="main"> |
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| <s>Moreover, they are fastened by means <lb/>of a wooden pin which penetrates through them and the crane-post; this <lb/>pin has at the one end a broad head, and at the other a hole, through which <lb/>is driven an iron bolt, so that the beams may be tightly bound into the crane­<lb/>post. </s> | <s>Moreover, they are fastened by means <lb/>of a wooden pin which penetrates through them and the crane-post; this <lb/>pin has at the one end a broad head, and at the other a hole, through which <lb/>is driven an iron bolt, so that the beams may be tightly bound into the crane­<lb/>post. </s> |
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| <s>The beams of the crane-arm are supported and stayed by means of <lb/>two oblique beams, six feet and two palms long, and likewise two palms wide <lb/>and thick; these are mortised into the crane-post at their lower ends, and <lb/>their upper ends are mortised into the beams of the crane-arm at a point <lb/>about four feet from the crane-post, and they are fastened with iron nails. <lb/>At the back of the upper end of these oblique beams, toward the crane-post, <lb/>is an iron staple, fastened into the lower sides of the beams of the crane-arm, in <lb/>order that it may hold them fast and bind them. </s> | <s>The beams of the crane-arm are supported and stayed by means of <lb/>two oblique beams, six feet and two palms long, and likewise two palms wide <lb/>and thick; these are mortised into the crane-post at their lower ends, and <lb/>their upper ends are mortised into the beams of the crane-arm at a point <lb/>about four feet from the crane-post, and they are fastened with iron nails. <lb/></s> |
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| | <s>At the back of the upper end of these oblique beams, toward the crane-post, <lb/>is an iron staple, fastened into the lower sides of the beams of the crane-arm, in <lb/>order that it may hold them fast and bind them. </s> |
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| <s>The outer end of each <lb/>beam of the crane-arm is set in a rectangular iron plate, and between these <lb/>are three rectangular iron plates, fixed in such a manner that the beams of the <lb/>crane-arm can neither move away from, nor toward, each other. </s> | <s>The outer end of each <lb/>beam of the crane-arm is set in a rectangular iron plate, and between these <lb/>are three rectangular iron plates, fixed in such a manner that the beams of the <lb/>crane-arm can neither move away from, nor toward, each other. </s> |
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| <s>A—STRAIGHT KNIFE HAVING WOODEN HANDLES. B—CURVED KNIFE LIKEWISE HAVING <lb/>WOODEN HANDLES. C—CURVED KNIFE WITHOUT WOODEN HANDLES. D—SIEVE. <lb/>E—BALLS. F—IRON DOOR WHICH THE MASTER LETS DOWN WHEN HE REFINES SILVER, LEST <lb/>THE HEAT OF THE FIRE SHOULD INJURE HIS EYES. G—IRON IMPLEMENT ON WHICH THE <lb/>WOOD IS PLACED WHEN THE LIQUID SILVER IS TO BE REFINED. H—ITS OTHER PART <lb/>PASSING THROUGH THE RING OF ANOTHER IRON IMPLEMENT ENCLOSED IN THE WALL OF THE <lb/>FURNACE. I—TESTS IN WHICH BURNING CHARCOAL HAS BEEN THROWN.<lb/>hold much less than fifteen <emph type="italics"/>librae<emph.end type="italics"/> of silver, others twenty, some thirty, others <lb/>forty, and others fifty. </s> | <s>A—STRAIGHT KNIFE HAVING WOODEN HANDLES. B—CURVED KNIFE LIKEWISE HAVING <lb/>WOODEN HANDLES. C—CURVED KNIFE WITHOUT WOODEN HANDLES. D—SIEVE. <lb/>E—BALLS. F—IRON DOOR WHICH THE MASTER LETS DOWN WHEN HE REFINES SILVER, LEST <lb/>THE HEAT OF THE FIRE SHOULD INJURE HIS EYES. G—IRON IMPLEMENT ON WHICH THE <lb/>WOOD IS PLACED WHEN THE LIQUID SILVER IS TO BE REFINED. H—ITS OTHER PART <lb/>PASSING THROUGH THE RING OF ANOTHER IRON IMPLEMENT ENCLOSED IN THE WALL OF THE <lb/>FURNACE. I—TESTS IN WHICH BURNING CHARCOAL HAS BEEN THROWN.<lb/>hold much less than fifteen <emph type="italics"/>librae<emph.end type="italics"/> of silver, others twenty, some thirty, others <lb/>forty, and others fifty. </s> |
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| <s>All these tests thus prepared are dried in the sun, or <lb/>set in a warm and covered place; the more dry and old they are the better. <lb/>All of them, when used for refining silver, are heated by means of burning <lb/>charcoal placed in them. </s> | <s>All these tests thus prepared are dried in the sun, or <lb/>set in a warm and covered place; the more dry and old they are the better. <lb/></s> |
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| | <s>All of them, when used for refining silver, are heated by means of burning <lb/>charcoal placed in them. </s> |
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| <s>Others use instead of these tests an iron ring; but <lb/>the test is more useful, for if the powder deteriorates the silver remains in <lb/>it, while there being no bottom to the ring, it falls out; besides, it is easier to <lb/>place in the hearth the test than the iron ring, and furthermore it requires <lb/>much less powder. </s> | <s>Others use instead of these tests an iron ring; but <lb/>the test is more useful, for if the powder deteriorates the silver remains in <lb/>it, while there being no bottom to the ring, it falls out; besides, it is easier to <lb/>place in the hearth the test than the iron ring, and furthermore it requires <lb/>much less powder. </s> |
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| <s>The second long wall only is built fifteen feet high, because <lb/>of the furnaces which must be built against it. </s> | <s>The second long wall only is built fifteen feet high, because <lb/>of the furnaces which must be built against it. </s> |
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| <s>The first long wall is distant <lb/>fifteen feet from the second, and the third is distant the same number of feet <lb/>from the fourth, but the second is distant thirty-nine feet from the third. <lb/>Then transverse walls are built, the first of which leads from the beginning <lb/>of the first long wall to the beginning of the second long wall; and the second <lb/>transverse wall from the beginning of the second long wall to the beginning of <lb/>the fourth long wall, for the third long wall does not reach so far. </s> | <s>The first long wall is distant <lb/>fifteen feet from the second, and the third is distant the same number of feet <lb/>from the fourth, but the second is distant thirty-nine feet from the third. <lb/></s> |
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| | <s>Then transverse walls are built, the first of which leads from the beginning <lb/>of the first long wall to the beginning of the second long wall; and the second <lb/>transverse wall from the beginning of the second long wall to the beginning of <lb/>the fourth long wall, for the third long wall does not reach so far. </s> |
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| <s>Then from <lb/>the beginning of the third long wall are built two walls—the one to the <lb/>sixty-seventh foot of the second long wall, the other to the same point in <lb/>the fourth long wall. </s> | <s>Then from <lb/>the beginning of the third long wall are built two walls—the one to the <lb/>sixty-seventh foot of the second long wall, the other to the same point in <lb/>the fourth long wall. </s> |
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| <s>The fourteenth <lb/>transverse wall divides into equal parts the space which lies between the <lb/>seventh transverse wall and the twelfth.</s></p><p type="main"> | <s>The fourteenth <lb/>transverse wall divides into equal parts the space which lies between the <lb/>seventh transverse wall and the twelfth.</s></p><p type="main"> |
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| <s>The length, height, breadth, and position of the walls are as above. <lb/>Their archways, doors, and openings are made at the same time that the walls <lb/>are built. </s> | <s>The length, height, breadth, and position of the walls are as above. <lb/></s> |
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| | <s>Their archways, doors, and openings are made at the same time that the walls <lb/>are built. </s> |
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| <s>The size of these and the way they are made will be much better <lb/>understood hereafter. </s> | <s>The size of these and the way they are made will be much better <lb/>understood hereafter. </s> |
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| <s>I will now speak of the furnace hoods and of the roofs. <lb/>The first side<emph type="sup"/>2<emph.end type="sup"/> of the hood stands on the second long wall, and is similar in <lb/>every respect to those whose structure I explained in Book IX, when I <lb/>described the works in whose furnaces are smelted the ores of gold, silver, <lb/>and copper. </s> | <s>I will now speak of the furnace hoods and of the roofs. < |
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