Volume 14 (1867) (436 pages)

8 She Mining antl Seientific Brees. Mininy wul Scientific Press, sue cnnesasceeseneeneeenonecansons Sxmion Eprror, G. W. M. SMITH. W. B, RWER. A. T. DEWEY. DEWEY & CoO., Publishers. OrricE—No. 505 Clay street, corner of Sansome, 2d floor. Terms of Subscriptions One copy, pen ann dn Bavanee, co) alx months, in AdVANCC, .-.10s5Ong peek For sale by Carrlers and Newsdealers. 2a «+35 00 Canvassing Agents. Our Fntenps can do much In ald of onr paper and the Cause of practical knowledge and science, by assistIng our Agents In their labors of canvassing, by lending their influ. ence and encouraging favors. We shall send none but worthy men. Afr, Thomas Starr ls Agent forthe Minine Anp Scrrn— miric Fress in Nevada, and will canvass the princlpal elties, towns and districts of that State. August 25, 1866. know, 1s our city soliciting and collecting . Mr, A, C. f Agent, and all subscriptions, or other favors extended to him, will be duly aeknowledged at this office. San Francisco, Jan lth, 1866. Mr. LL. WW. Felton, ls an aa ee agent for this . for. paper at Portland, Oregon. Dee. 1, 1866. San Francisco: Saturday Morning, Jan. 5, 1867. NOTICES TO CORRESPONDENTS. «J, D.”—-AmzeEr, so cxtensively employed ag mouth-pieces for meerschaum pipes and cigarholders, is helieved to be a fossilized vegetahle gum or resin, Anciently a fahulous origin wag attributed to it. As it was found on the sca-shore after a storm, it was said to he the solidified tears af the sisters of Phexton, or of sea nymphs. It is of a yellowish color, frequently streaked with milky white, tho yellow color heing semi-transparent. Those specimens which have a clouded milky appearance are tho most highly valued, as the clear yellow can ho imitated hy recent and cheaper gums. It is singularly electrical when rubbed, developing negative electricity to snch a degree in manufacturing it into tho forms in which it is sold, that the workmen are sometimes affected with nervous tremors, and they are obliged frequently to chango the pieces they handle. It is found on the Baltic coast of Prussia, either washed ashore after a gale, or entangled in masses of seaweed, Mines of it aro also wrought in Prussia. It is found inthis country at Amboy, N.J.; at Gayhead, Martha’s Vineyard; and at Cape Sable, in Maryland. Leaves of fossil plants and tropical insects are sometimes foand imbedded init, a fact that hus given rise to some pretty poetical conceits, as an instance of which we may mention the comparison made by that celehrated and witty divine, the Roverend Sydney Smith, in regard to tho English statesman Canning, viz., that “ his position was liko that ofa fly in ambor ;” thoinsect itself being an unimportant fact, the wonder consisting in how the deuce it got thero. In the East itis highly valued, and has been used as a form of concentrated wealth, as are diamonds and ather precious stones. When heated, it exhales an avreoable odor, and for this, among other reasons, is in great request as mouth-pieces for pipes. “New Grenapa Mrner.”—Your query is one which, to do it full justice, would requiro a rather voluminous answer. The losses occasioned in hydraulie and cement mining may be divided into two classes—once arising from tho imperfect pulverization of the cement, may he ohviated by employig crushing machinery; tho other, and more general loss, takes place in consequence of the loss snstained by what is termed “float gold”’ passing off in a finely divided state. We know of no suggestion which could be offered to remedy or pulliate the latter evil, unless by employing a long series of Rittinger’s Pointed Boxes, which are described in this number, the overflow heing mado to pass from each serics a8 much as possible over a well amalgamated plate maintained constantly clean. H. B.’—“* Asnestos ” is from a Greek word of the same name. It is found to some extent in California, in tho filiform condition, and very largely in the semi-formed or compact state. You cannot get a patent upon it for lamp-wicks. It was used for this purpose by the ancients. A VALUABLE PuBLICATION.—We have received from H. H. Bancroft & Co, a copy of “Molesworth’s Pocket-Book for Civil and Mechanical Engineers.” It is a very complete compilation of the formule and tables so often required for calculations in tho ficld and elsewhere, but which few enginecrs pretend to commit to memory. It is in compact ond convenient form, and will be found useful by the general public as well as hy professional cngincers. It is the first American from the tenth London edition. aos Our New Tyre will be appreciated hy the reader for its clear, plain and bold face.— It is California made type, and the first font of the kind used on the Pacific Coast. The “metal ” appears ‘‘tough” and we believe the ‘‘face” of the type will prove very durable, VOLUME FOURTEENTH, Again the march of time has brought us to the commencement of a new year and a new volume, With the present issue we commence the ‘‘fourtcenth” semi-annual volume of the Mayme anp Screnrieie Press. In thus entering upon a new term, 0 . it is needless to inform our patrons that the Press has kept full paco with the general prosperity which has attended mining operations of late throughout the Pacific coast, and that we take a just pride in recording, year after year, fresh evidences of success in our efforts to furnish our readers with a first-class mining journal, and one which shall compare favorably with any publication of the kind, wherever it may be sought As a special evidence of our desire to keep fully up with the times, and to make good our intent just recorded, we may call attention to the improved appearance of our paper to-day, which is printed on NEW ryps of beautiful face and finish, and that, too, of California manufacture ; thus practicing the duty we are constantly holding up to others—to support our own manufacturing and mechanical industries. While lahoring faithfully and industriously in our chosen field, we owe our patrons and readers many thanks for the unmistakable evidences of appreciation with which they have received our efforts. Jor the future, we have only to say, that we shall continue, as in the past, our utmost endeavors to make the Press all that is desirable as a medinm for the collection and dissemination of whatever can be made useful in advancing the mining, mechanical and general interests of the Pacific coast. It will still, as heretofore, be our aim to stimulate all honorable enterprises ; to raise a warning voice against all wild and reckless speculations ; to record passing results; to marshal in appropriate order all the important discoveries and suggestions of the day, whence our readers may extract lessons of wisdom, whether in the paths of science or of industry. Itis thus, that with growing years we hope to mako our journal a faithful record of all that is useful or instructive, and so connect it with passing time, that it will, in the future, be found such an indispensable book of reference, that it will be sought for in every library which lays any claim to extent or completeness, With this in view, we would ogain urge upon our readers the importance of filing their papers. We have now commenced a new volume, and a proper opportunity is presented to those who have heretofore neglected this duty, to commence it at once. Every reader of the Minine anp ScrenvTiric Press should put the sheet regularly on file, where it may always be had for reference when wanted. In after years it will be worth and will command much more than its first cost. The beginning of a new volume also presents a good opportunity for commencing a subscription. Our present issue will find its way to many new readers. Those who have friends that they think might be interested or benefited by the paper, will confer a favor both upon them and us by calling their attention to this matter, and at this time. By so doing they will place us under still greater obligations to themselves, and enable us by its increased receipts, to add still moro to the value of the papor. It is thus that in the growing welfare of the country and people, this journal hopes to find its due share of prosperity, and a fair reward for its efforts in behalf of science, of indnstry and of progress. While there is every reason for gratification at the circulation which this journal has already reached, we are yct well aware that thero are great numbers of miners, mechanics and lovers of science to whom it might be made a source of much usefulness and profit. We feel no hesitation or modesty in urging the claims of the paper upon the attention of all for whose especial benefit its publication is intended. Being tho only journal of the kind this side of the Rocky Mountains, and having a wide circulation distributed throughout all the States and Territorics on the Pacific coast, and among the most intelligent and thriving portion of our people, it presents a new and valuable medium for advertising—a feature which our columns show for themselves, is quite generally appreciated. We trust that it is needless to urge upon our readers the necessity of promptly renewing their subscriptions. The two indexes for volumes XIY and XIU, which we have already published, and the 500 ample pages of reading matter, apart from advertisments, to say nothing of our numerous engravings and illustrations, speak more for the value which we give for the price of a years subscription than we can say in this connection. For the next year we can safely promise even more, Increased experience and enlarged means and facilities will secure this. Everything that untiring industry and reasonable expense can acconmplish, will he done to render the Mme anb ScrentTiFIc Press a journal which shall be creditable to the interests which it represents, and of special value to its readers. RITTINGER'S FUNNEL OR POINTED BOXES, Tn our last issue, we spoko of these boxes . as about being introduced for the separation of sands at the Eureka mill, Grass Valley. They have been employed for many years both in England and on the Continent of Europe, where they appear to give much satisfaction. They are used to separate or assort the sand into sizes, as a preparatory measure for concentration by other machinery. The great lack of success in concentration on this coast has arisen from the attempt to concentrate direct from the batteries, without a provious assortment into sizes—a thing impossiblo of successful accomplishmont, and one which is neycr attempted in Europe. Tho use of Rittenger’s boxes, for this purpose, at the Eureka mill, will be the first attempt of the lind, so far as we are awaro, on the Pacific coast, and as thcir success will doubtless he looked for with much interest, we shall not fail to report the same. Although these boxes arc exceedingly simple in construction, cheap, and work without any especial attention, it is exceedingly difficult to deseribe them so as to he intelligibly understood; yet we will undertake to condense a description of them from Kustel’s forthcoming work—the ‘‘Gold and Silver Processes of California and Nevada,” where the same are fully described and illustrated. They consist simply of a series of boxes, usually four in number, each box increasing in size, and of ahout the following proportions: First box, 6 feet long, ‘234 feet wide, 4 fect decp, Second box, 9 feet long, 6 tect wide, & fect deep. ‘Third box, 12 fect long, 9 fect wide, 8tect decp. Fourth box, lé feet long, 15 fect wide, Wrect deep. The difference of tho water level between the boxes should he about eighteen inches. The sands are run direct from the battery into the first hox, from that to the second, and so on. The boxes, instead ;of being made with rectangular sides and bottom, are formed like an inverted pyramid, with the lowest part coming toa point. Atthis point isasmall orifice, through which the discharge is effected, with a very little cseape of water. The discharge is not direct; but is made through a short pipe six or eight inches long, and about an inch in diameter, which is bent upwards along one of the under sides of the box, for somo six inclies or more, according as it may he found necessary to properly counteract the pressure of water within the box. This arrange:ment is attached to each of the boxes. The sands flowing from the battery into the first box, discharge therein all their coarse particles, while those of a size much smaller are held suspended in the current, and carried forward to the next hox, which is made larger as above described, and so on. The result of this mode of separation with crushing of ordinary fineness, as ascertained by caroful experiment, is given as follows: The first box gives 40 per cent; the second 22; the third 20, and the fourth 12 of the crushed ore; leaving 6 per cent. as the finest slum, A cubic foot of water coming from the first box has been found to contain sixtecn pounds of sand; that from the second box 1334 of very fine sand; from tho third box sixteen pounds of slime; from the fourth box twelve pounds of exceedingly fine slime. These different sizes should then be each treated for concentration of their valuable constituents (sulphurets, etc.) separately, on any ordinary percussion table, such as those now in use for this purpose in our mills, The sand from the first and second boxes is easily treated; that from the third and fourth is more difficult of treatment, and requires a large amount of water. The work, when done, however, is thoroughly effected. If grinding pans are to be used for the sands so treated, they should be employed after concentration, and upon the sand alone, after the sulphurets have been removed for treatment by roasting. It may not be out of place in this connection, to mention the results of several experiments made at the Eureka mill, with the view of determining the relative advantages between working sulphurets by the chlorination process and by pans. The sulphurets from this mine assay very uniformly. From 2 lot which yielded by assay $460 per ton, the maximum yield, withont roasting, by the most careful pan process, aided to some extent by chemicals, was $366—about 80 per cent. Sulphurets from the same pile, after being roasted, yielded but $240; showing that for pan working, a better yield can be obtained from raw sulphurcts than from those which have been roasted. 'The unroasted sulphurets were worked eightcen hours in the pan; we aro not able to say how much time was occupied in working the roasted sulphurets. Sulphurets from tho samo lot worked by Mr. Maltman, by clilorination process, yielded 90 per cent, Mr. Deetken by improved apparatus, expects to work them up to 95 per cent. His work, at Meadow Lake, has even exceeded that. The present charge for working sulphurets, by chlorination process, at regular sulphuret works, is $40 per ton—the sulphurets delivered at the works. Mr. Deetken expects by his improved facilities, as described in our last issue, to work them for about $6 per ton. If he sueceeds in obtaining 95 per cent. of the gold for even $12, he will have made a most important advance in this intricate branch of metallurgy. The ore from this mine yields about $60 per ton in free gold, and $5 per ton in sulphurets. “TLECTRO-StmLIcon ; oR Macio BriLIANT,” is the designation applied to a ncw polishing powder, recently introduced to the public by Messrs. Frink & Edgar, at 212 Fourth street, in this city. This polishing powder is a natural mineral, ‘‘ direct from nature’s laboratory,” as prepared by her handicraft in some portion of our neighboring State of Nevada. For gold and silver plate, Britannia, tin and any other kind of metal, whore brilliant luster is desirable, without any wear of the surface, this polish Rppears most admirably well calculated. Tt seems to form a kind of chemical union with the oxyds of the metals to which it is applied, thereby removing the tarnish without any apparent wear of the metal itself, The mineral constituents of the substance have not yet been determined, hut measures have been taken to have a carcful analysis made of it, which it is supposed may lead to new applieations of this curious substance. Communications Recerven.—‘‘ Mines of Central Nevada,” by J.D. Emersley; “ Light for the Mines,” by J. Mosheimer.

8 She Mining antl Seientific Brees. Mininy wul Scientific Press, sue cnnesasceeseneeneeenonecansons Sxmion Eprror, G. W. M. SMITH. W. B, RWER. A. T. DEWEY. DEWEY & CoO., Publishers. OrricE—No. 505 Clay street, corner of Sansome, 2d floor. Terms of Subscriptions One copy, pen ann dn Bavanee, co) alx months, in AdVANCC, ..-.10s5Ong peek For sale by Carrlers and Newsdealers. 2a «+35 00 Canvassing Agents. Our Fntenps can do much In ald of onr paper and the Cause of practical knowledge and science, by assistIng our Agents In their labors of canvassing, by lending their influ. ence and encouraging favors. We shall send none but worthy men. Afr, Thomas Starr ls Agent forthe Minine Anp Scrrn— miric Fress in Nevada, and will canvass the princlpal elties, towns and districts of that State. August 25, 1866. know, 1s our city soliciting and collecting . Mr, A, C. f Agent, and all subscriptions, or other favors extended to him, will be duly aeknowledged at this office. San Francisco, Jan lth, 1866. Mr. LL. WW. Felton, ls an aa ee agent for this . for. paper at Portland, Oregon. Dee. 1, 1866. San Francisco: Saturday Morning, Jan. 5, 1867. NOTICES TO CORRESPONDENTS. «J, D.”—-AmzeEr, so cxtensively employed ag mouth-pieces for meerschaum pipes and cigarholders, is helieved to be a fossilized vegetahle gum or resin, Anciently a fahulous origin wag attributed to it. As it was found on the sca-shore after a storm, it was said to he the solidified tears af the sisters of Phexton, or of sea nymphs. It is of a yellowish color, frequently streaked with milky white, tho yellow color heing semi-transparent. Those specimens which have a clouded milky appearance are tho most highly valued, as the clear yellow can ho imitated hy recent and cheaper gums. It is singularly electrical when rubbed, developing negative electricity to snch a degree in manufacturing it into tho forms in which it is sold, that the workmen are sometimes affected with nervous tremors, and they are obliged frequently to chango the pieces they handle. It is found on the Baltic coast of Prussia, either washed ashore after a gale, or entangled in masses of seaweed, Mines of it aro also wrought in Prussia. It is found inthis country at Amboy, N.J.; at Gayhead, Martha’s Vineyard; and at Cape Sable, in Maryland. Leaves of fossil plants and tropical insects are sometimes foand imbedded init, a fact that hus given rise to some pretty poetical conceits, as an instance of which we may mention the comparison made by that celehrated and witty divine, the Roverend Sydney Smith, in regard to tho English statesman Canning, viz., that “ his position was liko that ofa fly in ambor ;” thoinsect itself being an unimportant fact, the wonder consisting in how the deuce it got thero. In the East itis highly valued, and has been used as a form of concentrated wealth, as are diamonds and ather precious stones. When heated, it exhales an avreoable odor, and for this, among other reasons, is in great request as mouth-pieces for pipes. “New Grenapa Mrner.”—Your query is one which, to do it full justice, would requiro a rather voluminous answer. The losses occasioned in hydraulie and cement mining may be divided into two classes—once arising from tho imperfect pulverization of the cement, may he ohviated by employig crushing machinery; tho other, and more general loss, takes place in consequence of the loss snstained by what is termed “float gold”’ passing off in a finely divided state. We know of no suggestion which could be offered to remedy or pulliate the latter evil, unless by employing a long series of Rittinger’s Pointed Boxes, which are described in this number, the overflow heing mado to pass from each serics a8 much as possible over a well amalgamated plate maintained constantly clean. H. B.’—“* Asnestos ” is from a Greek word of the same name. It is found to some extent in California, in tho filiform condition, and very largely in the semi-formed or compact state. You cannot get a patent upon it for lamp-wicks. It was used for this purpose by the ancients. A VALUABLE PuBLICATION.—We have received from H. H. Bancroft & Co, a copy of “Molesworth’s Pocket-Book for Civil and Mechanical Engineers.” It is a very complete compilation of the formule and tables so often required for calculations in tho ficld and elsewhere, but which few enginecrs pretend to commit to memory. It is in compact ond convenient form, and will be found useful by the general public as well as hy professional cngincers. It is the first American from the tenth London edition. aos Our New Tyre will be appreciated hy the reader for its clear, plain and bold face.— It is California made type, and the first font of the kind used on the Pacific Coast. The “metal ” appears ‘‘tough” and we believe the ‘‘face” of the type will prove very durable, VOLUME FOURTEENTH, Again the march of time has brought us to the commencement of a new year and a new volume, With the present issue we commence the ‘‘fourtcenth” semi-annual volume of the Mayme anp Screnrieie Press. In thus entering upon a new term, 0 . it is needless to inform our patrons that the Press has kept full paco with the general prosperity which has attended mining operations of late throughout the Pacific coast, and that we take a just pride in recording, year after year, fresh evidences of success in our efforts to furnish our readers with a first-class mining journal, and one which shall compare favorably with any publication of the kind, wherever it may be sought As a special evidence of our desire to keep fully up with the times, and to make good our intent just recorded, we may call attention to the improved appearance of our paper to-day, which is printed on NEW ryps of beautiful face and finish, and that, too, of California manufacture ; thus practicing the duty we are constantly holding up to others—to support our own manufacturing and mechanical industries. While lahoring faithfully and industriously in our chosen field, we owe our patrons and readers many thanks for the unmistakable evidences of appreciation with which they have received our efforts. Jor the future, we have only to say, that we shall continue, as in the past, our utmost endeavors to make the Press all that is desirable as a medinm for the collection and dissemination of whatever can be made useful in advancing the mining, mechanical and general interests of the Pacific coast. It will still, as heretofore, be our aim to stimulate all honorable enterprises ; to raise a warning voice against all wild and reckless speculations ; to record passing results; to marshal in appropriate order all the important discoveries and suggestions of the day, whence our readers may extract lessons of wisdom, whether in the paths of science or of industry. Itis thus, that with growing years we hope to mako our journal a faithful record of all that is useful or instructive, and so connect it with passing time, that it will, in the future, be found such an indispensable book of reference, that it will be sought for in every library which lays any claim to extent or completeness, With this in view, we would ogain urge upon our readers the importance of filing their papers. We have now commenced a new volume, and a proper opportunity is presented to those who have heretofore neglected this duty, to commence it at once. Every reader of the Minine anp ScrenvTiric Press should put the sheet regularly on file, where it may always be had for reference when wanted. In after years it will be worth and will command much more than its first cost. The beginning of a new volume also presents a good opportunity for commencing a subscription. Our present issue will find its way to many new readers. Those who have friends that they think might be interested or benefited by the paper, will confer a favor both upon them and us by calling their attention to this matter, and at this time. By so doing they will place us under still greater obligations to themselves, and enable us by its increased receipts, to add still moro to the value of the papor. It is thus that in the growing welfare of the country and people, this journal hopes to find its due share of prosperity, and a fair reward for its efforts in behalf of science, of indnstry and of progress.

While there is every reason for gratification at the circulation which this journal has already reached, we are yct well aware that thero are great numbers of miners, mechanics and lovers of science to whom it might be made a source of much usefulness and profit. We feel no hesitation or modesty in urging the claims of the paper upon the attention of all for whose especial benefit its publication is intended. Being tho only journal of the kind this side of the Rocky Mountains, and having a wide circulation distributed throughout all the States and Territorics on the Pacific coast, and among the most intelligent and thriving portion of our people, it presents a new and valuable medium for advertising—a feature which our columns show for themselves, is quite generally appreciated. We trust that it is needless to urge upon our readers the necessity of promptly renewing their subscriptions. The two indexes for volumes XIY and XIU, which we have already published, and the 500 ample pages of reading matter, apart from advertisments, to say nothing of our numerous engravings and illustrations, speak more for the value which we give for the price of a years subscription than we can say in this connection. For the next year we can safely promise even more, Increased experience and enlarged means and facilities will secure this. Everything that untiring industry and reasonable expense can acconmplish, will he done to render the Mme anb ScrentTiFIc Press a journal which shall be creditable to the interests which it represents, and of special value to its readers. RITTINGER'S FUNNEL OR POINTED BOXES, Tn our last issue, we spoko of these boxes . as about being introduced for the separation of sands at the Eureka mill, Grass Valley. They have been employed for many years both in England and on the Continent of Europe, where they appear to give much satisfaction. They are used to separate or assort the sand into sizes, as a preparatory measure for concentration by other machinery. The great lack of success in concentration on this coast has arisen from the attempt to concentrate direct from the batteries, without a provious assortment into sizes—a thing impossiblo of successful accomplishmont, and one which is neycr attempted in Europe. Tho use of Rittenger’s boxes, for this purpose, at the Eureka mill, will be the first attempt of the lind, so far as we are awaro, on the Pacific coast, and as thcir success will doubtless he looked for with much interest, we shall not fail to report the same. Although these boxes arc exceedingly simple in construction, cheap, and work without any especial attention, it is exceedingly difficult to deseribe them so as to he intelligibly understood; yet we will undertake to condense a description of them from Kustel’s forthcoming work—the ‘‘Gold and Silver Processes of California and Nevada,” where the same are fully described and illustrated. They consist simply of a series of boxes, usually four in number, each box increasing in size, and of ahout the following proportions: First box, 6 feet long, ‘234 feet wide, 4 fect decp, Second box, 9 feet long, 6 tect wide, & fect deep. ‘Third box, 12 fect long, 9 fect wide, 8tect decp. Fourth box, lé feet long, 15 fect wide, Wrect deep. The difference of tho water level between the boxes should he about eighteen inches. The sands are run direct from the battery into the first hox, from that to the second, and so on. The boxes, instead ;of being made with rectangular sides and bottom, are formed like an inverted pyramid, with the lowest part coming toa point. Atthis point isasmall orifice, through which the discharge is effected, with a very little cseape of water. The discharge is not direct; but is made through a short pipe six or eight inches long, and about an inch in diameter, which is bent upwards along one of the under sides of the box, for somo six inclies or more, according as it may he found necessary to properly counteract the pressure of water within the box. This arrange:ment is attached to each of the boxes. The sands flowing from the battery into the first box, discharge therein all their coarse particles, while those of a size much smaller are held suspended in the current, and carried forward to the next hox, which is made larger as above described, and so on. The result of this mode of separation with crushing of ordinary fineness, as ascertained by caroful experiment, is given as follows: The first box gives 40 per cent; the second 22; the third 20, and the fourth 12 of the crushed ore; leaving 6 per cent. as the finest slum, A cubic foot of water coming from the first box has been found to contain sixtecn pounds of sand; that from the second box 1334 of very fine sand; from tho third box sixteen pounds of slime; from the fourth box twelve pounds of exceedingly fine slime. These different sizes should then be each treated for concentration of their valuable constituents (sulphurets, etc.) separately, on any ordinary percussion table, such as those now in use for this purpose in our mills, The sand from the first and second boxes is easily treated; that from the third and fourth is more difficult of treatment, and requires a large amount of water. The work, when done, however, is thoroughly effected. If grinding pans are to be used for the sands so treated, they should be employed after concentration, and upon the sand alone, after the sulphurets have been removed for treatment by roasting. It may not be out of place in this connection, to mention the results of several experiments made at the Eureka mill, with the view of determining the relative advantages between working sulphurets by the chlorination process and by pans. The sulphurets from this mine assay very uniformly. From 2 lot which yielded by assay $460 per ton, the maximum yield, withont roasting, by the most careful pan process, aided to some extent by chemicals, was $366—about 80 per cent. Sulphurets from the same pile, after being roasted, yielded but $240; showing that for pan working, a better yield can be obtained from raw sulphurcts than from those which have been roasted. 'The unroasted sulphurets were worked eightcen hours in the pan; we aro not able to say how much time was occupied in working the roasted sulphurets. Sulphurets from tho samo lot worked by Mr. Maltman, by clilorination process, yielded 90 per cent, Mr. Deetken by improved apparatus, expects to work them up to 95 per cent. His work, at Meadow Lake, has even exceeded that. The present charge for working sulphurets, by chlorination process, at regular sulphuret works, is $40 per ton—the sulphurets delivered at the works. Mr. Deetken expects by his improved facilities, as described in our last issue, to work them for about $6 per ton. If he sueceeds in obtaining 95 per cent. of the gold for even $12, he will have made a most important advance in this intricate branch of metallurgy. The ore from this mine yields about $60 per ton in free gold, and $5 per ton in sulphurets. “TLECTRO-StmLIcon ; oR Macio BriLIANT,” is the designation applied to a ncw polishing powder, recently introduced to the public by Messrs. Frink & Edgar, at 212 Fourth street, in this city. This polishing powder is a natural mineral, ‘‘ direct from nature’s laboratory,” as prepared by her handicraft in some portion of our neighboring State of Nevada. For gold and silver plate, Britannia, tin and any other kind of metal, whore brilliant luster is desirable, without any wear of the surface, this polish Rppears most admirably well calculated. Tt seems to form a kind of chemical union with the oxyds of the metals to which it is applied, thereby removing the tarnish without any apparent wear of the metal itself, The mineral constituents of the substance have not yet been determined, hut measures have been taken to have a carcful analysis made of it, which it is supposed may lead to new applieations of this curious substance. Communications Recerven.—‘‘ Mines of Central Nevada,” by J.D. Emersley; “ Light for the Mines,” by J. Mosheimer.