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THE PROCESS NOT EASY.
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CHAPTER VIII.
THE PROCESS OP REDUCTION.
The
process not easy—German theory—English practical experiences—Variety
in the latter—Recent new patents—The elephant stamp—Its advantages if
serviceable—Our batteries —Crushing—Extraction by quicksilver—Final
processes— Delicate operations—In the crucible at last !—Necessity of
skill and care—Precautions necessary against loss of gold—The native process of washing—Its bearing upon reputed assays— How an assay should be made.
The extraction
of the precious metals from the quartz, or other mineral in which they
may be held (or, as it is technically called, the matrix), is
by no means so simple an operation as many seem to imagine. As a matter
of fact, it involves a number of complicated and difficult questions,
regarding which various authorities differ in opinion upon almost every
point of detail. Most of the best writings on the subject of
the reduction and concentration of gold are by German authors. English
experts have obtained their experience either in Australia, California,
or Brazil, and in each of these countries they have worked under
different conditions. The result of this variety has been to make them
biased
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