Volume 20 (1870) (454 pages)

194 SCIENTIFIC PRESS: [Maron 26,1870. Communications. California Diamonds. [Written for the Scientific Presa.) Diamonds are said to be found in many parts of the United States. A theory is entertsined in some quarters that, whereever gold is found, diamonds may be looked fox. Partisans of this theory maintain that cordance 7 allthat is known about the gneiss, itacolumnite, and the metamorphic . rock in which it is found. Tbe cheracter of these rocks, bowever, do not allow us to attribute to them a plntonic origin. 0. Alumina-Soap—Its Use, and Way of Preparing it. [Written for the Scientific Press.) Epitors Press:—The alumina-soap is diamonds abound in California, hut bave . quite insoluble in water; and for along thns far been neglscied by miners through ignorance of their value. When first dug up, the diamond is covered witb an opaque crust, which conceals its brilliency and its crystalline form. Such pebbles might lie in every field without being detected. There are a few authenticated instances of diamonds occuring in this Stete, in the ancient auriferons gravel deposits, but es yet, only very few of any size or value have been found. The following are tbe localities where they have heen discovered : Burre County.—At Cherokee Fai, in the sluice-hoxes, after washing large quantities of auriferous gravel, several have been discovered, One diamond found was valued in the rough at $50. ~Nevapsa County.—At French . Corral, in the sluice-boxes, at various times, a few bave beeu taken. Puscer County.—At Forest Hill, a few small ones bave been found in the same way. AMADOR Cotnty.—Near Fiddletown, a few beve been found in the auriferous gravel afew years ago. At Volcano, in a formetion described by Prof. Whitney as ‘ashes and pumice cemented and stratified by water.” Kuamata County.—In lower Trinity, near its junction with tho Klamath, with the finely-divided platinum. Discovered by Professor Wohler, of Gottingen. (See page 162). _ Undoubtedly there are numerous other localities where their occurrence has as yet escaped notice. According to some remerks made by Professor Whitney, some time ego, there are from filteen to twenty different localities at which diamonds have been found in the course of washing for gold. The largest dinmond yet found in the State weighs 74 grains, Formation of Diamonds. In this counectiou, the following, from Cosmos, will be of interest to readers of the Press: _ Researches on this subject bave lately been made hy Messrs. Goeppert and D, Brewster. The blackdiamond of Bahia is, according to Mr. Goeppert, a mixture of emorphous carbon and diamond. M. Liebig’e experiments on its combustion also agree with this statement. It often heppens that the diamond inecloses other erystals; iron pyrites, particularly, have been noticed init by Mr. Hartwig. Sir Dayid Brewster calls attention to the microscopic cavities existing in this as well ae in other gems, as in the topez and emereld. These cavities are fouud to be often very numerous in certain dark diamonds; they thus dispersing the rays of the light, are therefore of no value in jewelry, Mr. Goeppert remarks that the diamond must have originelly possessed a certain plesticity; we notice, in fact, in a diamond helonging to the Emperor of Brazil, the impression yet of asend grain. Thehlack as well as the crystallized white ones bear also the signs of analogous impressions produced by foreign hodies. Some investigators believe to have recognized the cellular tissue of plants in the/ashes resulting from the combustiou of this gem, Mr. Goeppert, however, has not yet detected with certainty any traces of organizetion, either in the diemond or in its amorphous form, the plumhago. As to the question so often discussed, whetherthe diamond he formed by platonic or neptunic action, the latter naturalist is of the opinion that the first hypothesis is scarcely admissable, the experiments of Depietz having shown thet the diamond is changed into a kind of coke whenever exposed to the intense heat of a galvanic battery. The second hypothesis, attributing its formation to neptuuie action, is sustained by the authorities of Newton, Brewster and time the chemists have been of the opinion that it is equally insoluble in fat oils, until it wes found out, 2 few years ago, that it will readily dissolve in these if propérly treated and all the points observed which I will explain hereafter. The alumina-soap does not cbhenge tbe color nor the traneparency of the oil in which it is dissolved. This solution can be mixed with tellow and other kinds of fet, also with beeswax, resins, etc.; and these combinetions distinguish themselves by their toughuess, elasticity, and also by being impermeable by water. Resins, by these meens deprived of their brittleness and acquiring a certain degree of toughness, will be found nseful for 2 good many purposes, and so will the other mixtnree ahove mentioned. Modus Operandi, Dissolve good soap in fonr times its weight of hot water; and dilute it with ten to twelve parts more water. Then prepare a solution of alum in twelve parts of water, end add the latter solution to the first one by degrees, and constantly stirring as long as precipitation continues. After the alumina-soap is properly precipitated, strain it througb muslin, and wash it with weter eeveral times on the filter. Then dry it in warm air. It has to be used for dissolving hefore it is freed of the last perticles of moisture; and according ag more cr less oil for the solution is used, we can obtain substances of greater or less consistency. One part of alumina-soap with two parts of oil, in a glass vessel, which is put into a send bath, beated for some time at 70° to 90°, Réaumur, and often stirred until perfectly dissolved, will form a jelly after cooling. Rules to be Observed. 1. Use good and, if possible, fresh soep. 2. The water for dissolving should hé distilled or rain water. @. Clear the eoap soIution by fiitering or settling. 4. The solution of alum sbould becleer. 5. Separate the alumina-soup from the fluid immediately after precipitetion. 6. Wash it with distilled water. 7. Do not dry the alumina-soap on hot pletes, but freely suspeud it in a sieve. 8. Do not keep it long before you dissolve it in the oil intended for the purpose, This eeems to be the principal reason thet the older chemists did not succeed in dissolving it, becanse most likely they kept it too long, until it lost this property. 9. Use pure and clear oils, 10. Do not heat the solution over 90°, Réanmur, or else it will assume a darker color. If all the above poiuts ere observed, the solution so ohtained will he clear and trauspareut, E. Prqvz. + <a oe Iyterestine Screntirio Discovery.— Scientific research has lately revenled the fact that tubers, such as the pear, lemon, gooseberry, otc., maintain regular fluid currents, something similar to the sep currents of trees. In the potato, the current is found to he passing from the center to the cirenmference; while in the peer, lemon snd gooseberry, the current is from the outside to the center. Examinations have also been made upon flowers and leaves—as rbubarb, peonies, dock, water cress, gresses, oak leaves, etc. These examinations are still in progress, and the investigator remarke that bis experiments “are euongh to set one thinking, hut that it would be premature to reason upon them at present.” Aw excellent material for uniting water pipee is said to he prepared by combining four parts of good Portland cement and one part of unslacked lime, mixed together in small portione in a étout mortar, adding enough water to permit it to be reduced to a soit paste. Pipes thus united have been in use more than six years witbout any Liebig, being also that which is bast in ac: . leak. ‘ : J Sketches of El Dorado County. [Written for the Scientific Press] Eprrors Press:—About the first of Febrnary the 10-stamp mill of Shepbard & Co. was pnt in operation near their quartz lead on Oregon Hill. In a former letter, I alluded to this claim, which is said to be a good one, bnt none know its value but Sbépbard & Co. I should have perticularized more fnlly concerning this discovery, bnt it was said that there were vultures bovering over, ready to pounce npon it at the first opportunity, and a fevorable word dropped would bave been likely to bave hastened their descent. ' Lega! Troubles. But that descent was made on-the second, in tbe ehape of an injunction, issued by Judge McKinstry, of your city, restraining Shephard & Co. from further extracting quartz from the mine, and claiming damages in the sum of $50,000.* This county is remarkably unfortunate in one particular; there ie seldom a claim discovered worth working, bnt from one to twenty adveree claims or titles are set up, either to bleck-mail or to get Possession by strong witnesses. Such clouds piled on to new discoveries, or old prospect boles, deter capitalists from coming bere to invest in or work mines. Governor Blaisdel visited bere some time ago, with the intention of investing several thousand dollars in prospecting for quartz, but he found so many pretentious titles to all outcropping quartz yeins, that be left to invest bis means where there wonld be less chance of jayhswking him. That persons should abendon a cleim and leeve the country, for three, five, or seven consecntive years, snd retnrn, only when some industrious person, more worthy than themselves, may brave discovered paying qnartz or gravel in the vicinity of where they had prospected, and claim tbe discovery, ie ridiculous in the extreme. Unless this injunction ie dissolved, or a receiver appointed during the pendency of this trial, some thirty men, most of them with families, will be thrown out of employment. It is hoped their injuuction boud is better than white paper, Dickerhof & Goen Mill. The 10-stemp mill of Dickerhof & Goen, bnilt hy Mr. Jess, was put in operation the last of January, and is crushing some thirty-five tons of gravel every twenty-four hours, which pays from one to five dollars per ton. Tbhe-power is an eight-foot hurdygurdy wheel, with a nine-inch face. The buckets are reised above the face of the . wheel, and resemble the Spanlding circuler millsaw. The water surface of the buckete is only three inches square. The pressure is 220 feet, conducted througb a seven-inch pipe, and driven -against the wheel through a seven-eighth inch nozzle, the wheel etanding in an open frame, and as soon ae the water has spent its force, it leaves the wheel, and, therefore, no dead weight of water is carried on by the wheel. This improvement wes put in practical operation hy Mr. Jess, the huilder. The water reqnired for prupelling the ten stamps, of 450 pounds eech, is twelve minere’ inches —i. e., the water thet passes through a throat eix inches long, and two inches deep, with a five-inch pressure, costing the proprietors $7.20 for twentyfour hours. Shephard & Co's quartz mill, with 600-pound stamps, and water for tbe hatteries, requires eighteen inches, Water and Steam. Let me here make a calculation hetween tbis motive power and that of eteam. STEAM. $8.00 Two engineers at $4.. ae 16.00 Three cords of wood at $5. Incidental expenses in minin, 60 Interest on difference in first cost (say $3,000) and wear and tear of machinery (say 2 per Cont, per MONth).cecscecceceveccercceres 2.60 Total.cssecoree eo eceens Fangs e= $20.00: WATER. Say 16 inches, leaving 2 inches for battery, at 60 CENA corte cede ecsocespcvec-eeccrvccy reese cer upotOl) Difference in favor of water per 24 hours..0.+. $16.40 *Since the above was written, G. E. Williams, Esq., attorney for defendants, telegraphed trom San Francisco for Sh d & Co, to p This news ve . Joy to the many mon employed, With such cheap power, quattz and gravel which cannot be worked at all hy steam would pay owners handsome dividends worked hy this power. Hangtown ridge, which is some 400 feet high andssven or eigbt miles in length, will, in time, find its way pulverized to powder bythis cheap power, winding its wey along’ the bottom of Hengtown creektothe American river, thence into the Sacramento, to lodge, perhaps, on tbe ‘*‘Hog’s Back.” Revival of Mining. The quartz interest bss revived since the discovery msde on Oregon Hill, and every day may he seen Jew and Gentile, with pick and pan, starting for some location in search of the rock filled with oro; returning at night tired end discomforted, many declaring they will never try it again; but; y after a night’s rest, like the gamester who has loet, is ready to try his luck again, Some rich quartz veins bave been discoyered; Van B. Hooker, on Cedar ravine, among others, hut how extensive, time alone must determine, The want of a full supply of water alone: prevents this from being one of the most productive mining towns in the State. I‘am told by the water agents onthe South Fork canal that 10,000 inches of water could he disposed of es easily as the 1,000 now furnished hy thet corporetion. R. R. aud J. Craig’s hydraulio ° glohe nozzle (the petent for which I think wes procured through your agency) has: been introduced here lately, and J.-H. Nash appointed agent. Some twenty or more huve been sold, hesides several yet to ~ arrive to fill orders. None who have ussd them will pert with them. Wonderful succoss ie claimed for them. Iintended to have given a few items concerning hydraulic mining at Newtown, Snanish and Rsservoir Hills, and other’ places I have visited lately, hut must defer . it for the present. [We hope our correspondent will give us some full accounts of these operations, the methods used, ete.— Ens. . E. N. 8. Placerville, March 8th, 1870. Wet Crushing. [Written for the Scientific Press.] Eprrors Frrss:—In connection with the plan of settling and pumping back the water used in crushing ore, in order to ~ avoid loss, recently patented, and long since practiced hy myself and others, I wonld call attention to an artitle by William Skey, in the Chemical News (Am, ~ Repr., June, 1868), in which is pointed out — the effect of saline metters iu causing the precipitation of clay beld in suspension by * water. As ores generally contain some clay, which, hy thickening the water, obstructs settling’ ‘it might be advantageous to use, ~ in crushing, 2 solution of salt or lime ~ (when the letter is not obnoxious to the A subsequent treetment of the ore). 7 That Article. Iheve just seen your issne of the 5th inst., containing the letter of “J. G.” editorial remarks, on another page, present my own views so fully that it is unnecessary to add to them further then to assure: all your correspondents that I have no personal feeling or conflicting interest whetever in the metter, butam moved solely by regard for the legitimate interests of the science of which I am an humble, hut eernest, student and practitioner. * * * The only point worthy of notice in "J, G’s” letter, is the intimation that the operations of the Triunfo Co. ere not profitable. the process used, as is proved hy the fact The ° Tf this he so, the fenlt iss not in . thet the same kinds of ore, in some cases — from the same mines, were worked with profit in the Picecho mill, at a cost of. $18per ton. As‘‘J.G.” states thet the Sheha ore . presents eimilar difficulties, this fect will, perhaps, serve to indicate the range within which it could be worked with profit, allowing for difference in price of labor, . *% etc. * What Tintend hy saying that all ores can be worked, is, to refute the statement so often heard, that ‘‘the ore would pay, but if is so rehellious that they can’t get the eilver out.” ‘ As to preventing the formation of anti-moniate of silver, there is eome authority for ssying that it can be done in a measure. It appears that the antimonions ores of the Reese River district are worked to 80 percent. Can‘ ‘J. G.” tell usin what proportion this salt is formed in a properly conducted roasting, and is he sure thet, if formed, if is quite irreducihle in subsequent amalgemation? * * * O. H. Ai * February 25, 1870,

194 SCIENTIFIC PRESS: [Maron 26,1870. Communications. California Diamonds. [Written for the Scientific Presa.) Diamonds are said to be found in many parts of the United States. A theory is entertsined in some quarters that, whereever gold is found, diamonds may be looked fox. Partisans of this theory maintain that cordance 7 allthat is known about the gneiss, itacolumnite, and the metamorphic . rock in which it is found. Tbe cheracter of these rocks, bowever, do not allow us to attribute to them a plntonic origin. 0. Alumina-Soap—Its Use, and Way of Preparing it. [Written for the Scientific Press.) Epitors Press:—The alumina-soap is diamonds abound in California, hut bave . quite insoluble in water; and for along thns far been neglscied by miners through ignorance of their value. When first dug up, the diamond is covered witb an opaque crust, which conceals its brilliency and its crystalline form. Such pebbles might lie in every field without being detected. There are a few authenticated instances of diamonds occuring in this Stete, in the ancient auriferons gravel deposits, but es yet, only very few of any size or value have been found. The following are tbe localities where they have heen discovered : Burre County.—At Cherokee Fai, in the sluice-hoxes, after washing large quantities of auriferous gravel, several have been discovered, One diamond found was valued in the rough at $50. ~Nevapsa County.—At French . Corral, in the sluice-boxes, at various times, a few bave beeu taken. Puscer County.—At Forest Hill, a few small ones bave been found in the same way. AMADOR Cotnty.—Near Fiddletown, a few beve been found in the auriferous gravel afew years ago. At Volcano, in a formetion described by Prof. Whitney as ‘ashes and pumice cemented and stratified by water.” Kuamata County.—In lower Trinity, near its junction with tho Klamath, with the finely-divided platinum. Discovered by Professor Wohler, of Gottingen. (See page 162). _ Undoubtedly there are numerous other localities where their occurrence has as yet escaped notice. According to some remerks made by Professor Whitney, some time ego, there are from filteen to twenty different localities at which diamonds have been found in the course of washing for gold. The largest dinmond yet found in the State weighs 74 grains, Formation of Diamonds. In this counectiou, the following, from Cosmos, will be of interest to readers of the Press: _ Researches on this subject bave lately been made hy Messrs. Goeppert and D, Brewster. The blackdiamond of Bahia is, according to Mr. Goeppert, a mixture of emorphous carbon and diamond. M. Liebig’e experiments on its combustion also agree with this statement. It often heppens that the diamond inecloses other erystals; iron pyrites, particularly, have been noticed init by Mr. Hartwig. Sir Dayid Brewster calls attention to the microscopic cavities existing in this as well ae in other gems, as in the topez and emereld. These cavities are fouud to be often very numerous in certain dark diamonds; they thus dispersing the rays of the light, are therefore of no value in jewelry, Mr. Goeppert remarks that the diamond must have originelly possessed a certain plesticity; we notice, in fact, in a diamond helonging to the Emperor of Brazil, the impression yet of asend grain. Thehlack as well as the crystallized white ones bear also the signs of analogous impressions produced by foreign hodies. Some investigators believe to have recognized the cellular tissue of plants in the/ashes resulting from the combustiou of this gem, Mr. Goeppert, however, has not yet detected with certainty any traces of organizetion, either in the diemond or in its amorphous form, the plumhago. As to the question so often discussed, whetherthe diamond he formed by platonic or neptunic action, the latter naturalist is of the opinion that the first hypothesis is scarcely admissable, the experiments of Depietz having shown thet the diamond is changed into a kind of coke whenever exposed to the intense heat of a galvanic battery. The second hypothesis, attributing its formation to neptuuie action, is sustained by the authorities of Newton, Brewster and time the chemists have been of the opinion that it is equally insoluble in fat oils, until it wes found out, 2 few years ago, that it will readily dissolve in these if propérly treated and all the points observed which I will explain hereafter. The alumina-soap does not cbhenge tbe color nor the traneparency of the oil in which it is dissolved. This solution can be mixed with tellow and other kinds of fet, also with beeswax, resins, etc.; and these combinetions distinguish themselves by their toughuess, elasticity, and also by being impermeable by water. Resins, by these meens deprived of their brittleness and acquiring a certain degree of toughness, will be found nseful for 2 good many purposes, and so will the other mixtnree ahove mentioned. Modus Operandi, Dissolve good soap in fonr times its weight of hot water; and dilute it with ten to twelve parts more water. Then prepare a solution of alum in twelve parts of water, end add the latter solution to the first one by degrees, and constantly stirring as long as precipitation continues. After the alumina-soap is properly precipitated, strain it througb muslin, and wash it with weter eeveral times on the filter. Then dry it in warm air. It has to be used for dissolving hefore it is freed of the last perticles of moisture; and according ag more cr less oil for the solution is used, we can obtain substances of greater or less consistency. One part of alumina-soap with two parts of oil, in a glass vessel, which is put into a send bath, beated for some time at 70° to 90°, Réaumur, and often stirred until perfectly dissolved, will form a jelly after cooling. Rules to be Observed. 1. Use good and, if possible, fresh soep. 2. The water for dissolving should hé distilled or rain water. @. Clear the eoap soIution by fiitering or settling. 4. The solution of alum sbould becleer. 5. Separate the alumina-soup from the fluid immediately after precipitetion. 6. Wash it with distilled water. 7. Do not dry the alumina-soap on hot pletes, but freely suspeud it in a sieve. 8. Do not keep it long before you dissolve it in the oil intended for the purpose, This eeems to be the principal reason thet the older chemists did not succeed in dissolving it, becanse most likely they kept it too long, until it lost this property. 9. Use pure and clear oils, 10. Do not heat the solution over 90°, Réanmur, or else it will assume a darker color. If all the above poiuts ere observed, the solution so ohtained will he clear and trauspareut, E. Prqvz. + <a oe Iyterestine Screntirio Discovery.— Scientific research has lately revenled the fact that tubers, such as the pear, lemon, gooseberry, otc., maintain regular fluid currents, something similar to the sep currents of trees. In the potato, the current is found to he passing from the center to the cirenmference; while in the peer, lemon snd gooseberry, the current is from the outside to the center. Examinations have also been made upon flowers and leaves—as rbubarb, peonies, dock, water cress, gresses, oak leaves, etc. These examinations are still in progress, and the investigator remarke that bis experiments “are euongh to set one thinking, hut that it would be premature to reason upon them at present.” Aw excellent material for uniting water pipee is said to he prepared by combining four parts of good Portland cement and one part of unslacked lime, mixed together in small portione in a étout mortar, adding enough water to permit it to be reduced to a soit paste. Pipes thus united have been in use more than six years witbout any Liebig, being also that which is bast in ac: . leak. ‘ : J Sketches of El Dorado County. [Written for the Scientific Press] Eprrors Press:—About the first of Febrnary the 10-stamp mill of Shepbard & Co. was pnt in operation near their quartz lead on Oregon Hill. In a former letter, I alluded to this claim, which is said to be a

good one, bnt none know its value but Sbépbard & Co. I should have perticularized more fnlly concerning this discovery, bnt it was said that there were vultures bovering over, ready to pounce npon it at the first opportunity, and a fevorable word dropped would bave been likely to bave hastened their descent. ' Lega! Troubles. But that descent was made on-the second, in tbe ehape of an injunction, issued by Judge McKinstry, of your city, restraining Shephard & Co. from further extracting quartz from the mine, and claiming damages in the sum of $50,000.* This county is remarkably unfortunate in one particular; there ie seldom a claim discovered worth working, bnt from one to twenty adveree claims or titles are set up, either to bleck-mail or to get Possession by strong witnesses. Such clouds piled on to new discoveries, or old prospect boles, deter capitalists from coming bere to invest in or work mines. Governor Blaisdel visited bere some time ago, with the intention of investing several thousand dollars in prospecting for quartz, but he found so many pretentious titles to all outcropping quartz yeins, that be left to invest bis means where there wonld be less chance of jayhswking him. That persons should abendon a cleim and leeve the country, for three, five, or seven consecntive years, snd retnrn, only when some industrious person, more worthy than themselves, may brave discovered paying qnartz or gravel in the vicinity of where they had prospected, and claim tbe discovery, ie ridiculous in the extreme. Unless this injunction ie dissolved, or a receiver appointed during the pendency of this trial, some thirty men, most of them with families, will be thrown out of employment. It is hoped their injuuction boud is better than white paper, Dickerhof & Goen Mill. The 10-stemp mill of Dickerhof & Goen, bnilt hy Mr. Jess, was put in operation the last of January, and is crushing some thirty-five tons of gravel every twenty-four hours, which pays from one to five dollars per ton. Tbhe-power is an eight-foot hurdygurdy wheel, with a nine-inch face. The buckets are reised above the face of the . wheel, and resemble the Spanlding circuler millsaw. The water surface of the buckete is only three inches square. The pressure is 220 feet, conducted througb a seven-inch pipe, and driven -against the wheel through a seven-eighth inch nozzle, the wheel etanding in an open frame, and as soon ae the water has spent its force, it leaves the wheel, and, therefore, no dead weight of water is carried on by the wheel. This improvement wes put in practical operation hy Mr. Jess, the huilder. The water reqnired for prupelling the ten stamps, of 450 pounds eech, is twelve minere’ inches —i. e., the water thet passes through a throat eix inches long, and two inches deep, with a five-inch pressure, costing the proprietors $7.20 for twentyfour hours. Shephard & Co's quartz mill, with 600-pound stamps, and water for tbe hatteries, requires eighteen inches, Water and Steam. Let me here make a calculation hetween tbis motive power and that of eteam. STEAM. $8.00 Two engineers at $4... ae 16.00 Three cords of wood at $5.. Incidental expenses in minin, 60 Interest on difference in first cost (say $3,000) and wear and tear of machinery (say 2 per Cont, per MONth)..cecscecceceveccercceres 2.60 Total..cssecoree eo eceens Fangs e= $20.00: WATER. Say 16 inches, leaving 2 inches for battery, at 60 CENA corte cede ecsocespcvec-eeccrvccy reese cer upotOl) Difference in favor of water per 24 hours...0.+. $16.40 *Since the above was written, G. E. Williams, Esq., attorney for defendants, telegraphed trom San Francisco for Sh d & Co, to p This news ve . Joy to the many mon employed, With such cheap power, quattz and gravel which cannot be worked at all hy steam would pay owners handsome dividends worked hy this power. Hangtown ridge, which is some 400 feet high andssven or eigbt miles in length, will, in time, find its way pulverized to powder bythis cheap power, winding its wey along’ the bottom of Hengtown creektothe American river, thence into the Sacramento, to lodge, perhaps, on tbe ‘*‘Hog’s Back.” Revival of Mining. The quartz interest bss revived since the discovery msde on Oregon Hill, and every day may he seen Jew and Gentile, with pick and pan, starting for some location in search of the rock filled with oro; returning at night tired end discomforted, many declaring they will never try it again; but; y after a night’s rest, like the gamester who has loet, is ready to try his luck again, Some rich quartz veins bave been discoyered; Van B. Hooker, on Cedar ravine, among others, hut how extensive, time alone must determine, The want of a full supply of water alone: prevents this from being one of the most productive mining towns in the State. I‘am told by the water agents onthe South Fork canal that 10,000 inches of water could he disposed of es easily as the 1,000 now furnished hy thet corporetion. R. R. aud J. Craig’s hydraulio ° glohe nozzle (the petent for which I think wes procured through your agency) has: been introduced here lately, and J.-H.. Nash appointed agent. Some twenty or more huve been sold, hesides several yet to ~ arrive to fill orders. None who have ussd them will pert with them. Wonderful succoss ie claimed for them. Iintended to have given a few items concerning hydraulic mining at Newtown, Snanish and Rsservoir Hills, and other’ places I have visited lately, hut must defer . it for the present. [We hope our correspondent will give us some full accounts of these operations, the methods used, ete.— Ens. . E. N. 8. Placerville, March 8th, 1870. Wet Crushing. [Written for the Scientific Press.] Eprrors Frrss:—In connection with the plan of settling and pumping back the water used in crushing ore, in order to ~ avoid loss, recently patented, and long since practiced hy myself and others, I wonld call attention to an artitle by William Skey, in the Chemical News (Am, ~ Repr., June, 1868), in which is pointed out — the effect of saline metters iu causing the precipitation of clay beld in suspension by * water. As ores generally contain some clay, which, hy thickening the water, obstructs settling’ ‘it might be advantageous to use, ~ in crushing, 2 solution of salt or lime ~ (when the letter is not obnoxious to the A subsequent treetment of the ore). 7 That Article. Iheve just seen your issne of the 5th inst., containing the letter of “J. G.” editorial remarks, on another page, present my own views so fully that it is unnecessary to add to them further then to assure: all your correspondents that I have no personal feeling or conflicting interest whetever in the metter, butam moved solely by regard for the legitimate interests of the science of which I am an humble, hut eernest, student and practitioner. * * * The only point worthy of notice in "J, G’s” letter, is the intimation that the operations of the Triunfo Co. ere not profitable. the process used, as is proved hy the fact The ° Tf this he so, the fenlt iss not in . thet the same kinds of ore, in some cases — from the same mines, were worked with profit in the Picecho mill, at a cost of. $18per ton. As‘‘J.G.” states thet the Sheha ore . presents eimilar difficulties, this fect will, perhaps, serve to indicate the range within which it could be worked with profit, allowing for difference in price of labor, . *% etc. * What Tintend hy saying that all ores can be worked, is, to refute the statement so often heard, that ‘‘the ore would pay, but if is so rehellious that they can’t get the eilver out.” ‘ As to preventing the formation of anti-moniate of silver, there is eome authority for ssying that it can be done in a measure. It appears that the antimonions ores of the Reese River district are worked to 80 percent. Can‘ ‘J. G.” tell usin what proportion this salt is formed in a properly conducted roasting, and is he sure thet, if formed, if is quite irreducihle in subsequent amalgemation? * * * O. H. Ai * February 25, 1870,