ranged that each one will be of ample dimensions to hold from one to two days' work of the mill, and the amalgamation should not proceed until the first and second tanks are filled; then the sands should be removed from the first tank, while the third is being filled from the Chilian; and from the second while the first is refilling; by this arrangement from two to four days' rest will be allowed to all the sands.

The addition of common salt occasionally while the tanks are filling up, will be useful, from its effect to increase the oxidation of the iron usually contained in the ore. By means of a perforated plate, similar to that used in a shower bath, a small sprinkling of water can be constantly maintained over the surface of these tanks.

Next to the Chilian Mill the most common method of crushing is effected by the use of the

STAMPS.

Easy and simple in their construction, and in the application of power to their movements, it is not surprising that they should be found at work upon so many mining properties. They are formed usually of six pieces of timber from four to six inches square, and about twelve feet long, armed with such a heavy iron head, and maintained in a vertical position, by a simple framework, which allows of their moving freely vertically. The mo tion is communicated by cams on a revolving horizontal shaft, which, lifting the stamps, alternately, to a slight elevation, allows them to fall, and, by their weight, to crush the ore placed in a trough beneath them. The size to which the ore is reduced is regulated by a grating inserted in the front of the trough, through which the slime is washed by a small stream of water allowed to follow under the stamps for that purpose. The facility with which they can be made is not their only recommendation, for on the score of efficiency they deservedly maintain a high repu tation. On the same kind of ore they will do as much execution as the Chilian Mill, but they cannot, like it, be used both for crushing and amalgamating.

Upon ores in which the gold is disseminated in a state of extreme division the stamps will be found to entail a loss which would not arise under a crushing process; still, I think, if the system of "rest" should be allowed immediately after the stamp work, much of the loss of minute gold would be prevented. On ores containing particles of coarse gold, if the grate is set coarse, the stamps will prove to be a valuable method of reducing the rock to sand. Stamps are used with water or without it, as suits the views or fancy of those using them. There is a considerable difference of opinion among those who use the stamps, as to which branch, the wet or dry, belongs the superiority. I am inclined to favor the wet process for all kinds of ore. I believe

less gold is lost by the wet method than by the dry; and much testimony can be induced in favor of its greater economy on the score of cost. The following extract from Mr. Harkort's Report to the Bolanos Association in 1830, is decisive on this point;"The costs of a dry stamp work, by the Mexican process, on 1,000 quintals is $124, while the cost of wet (German) stamp work on 1,500 or 2,000 quintals weekly, at the highest would be but $24, saving $100 on each torta, and the loss by amalgamation less, as the flour become much finer than by dry stamping."

Perhaps it would not be out of place at this point to present a brief view of the Mexican treatment of ores. The ores when taken from the mine are broken in small fragments, and separated as well as can readily be done, from the gangue-stone. They are then passed through the stamps; usually the dry stamps. Then they are worked in the arrastre; afterward gathered into flattened circular heaps, called "tortas," on a close pavement, and thoroughly intermixed with common salt, the tendency of whichis to assist in the decomposition of the iron pyrites, by forming a muriate of iron. Quicksilver is freely sprinkled upon and incorporated into the mass; a second and a third quantity of quicksilver is added until there is enough to take up the gold contained in the slime of the " torta." The slime is then washed in a vat, and kept constantly agitated, by which means the lighter impurity or earthy matter, is floated away by the discharge trough at the surface, and the amalgam remains at the bottom of the vat, from which it is easily gathered after drawing off the water. From the above brief outline it will be perceived that the Mexican process involves a continued succession of "rests" for the ores; allowing time for the gold to subside, and time for the amalgamation to proceed.

Constant care and attention are necessary upon the part of the stamp-tender to see that the supply of ore is regular both as to time and quantity. If, through a desire to gain for himself some extra moments of leisure, the stamp-feeder should throw under the stamps an over supply of ore, the water will be so thickened with the mud and sand that the gold will not fall through it, but be carried off by being held in suspension in the muddy mixture. If, through neglect of duty, he omits to furnish the necessary quantity of ore to the stamps, the too rapid flow of the clear water will carry away the fine particles of gold by its greater force.

As in the case of the Chilian Mill, I would repeat here, even at the risk of being charged with tautology, that the work cannot be hurried; that it must be slow and regular, and that any deviation from this course will entail a corresponding loss of gold.

To be continued.)

S. P. I.

ART. III.-A GEOLOGICAL RECONNOISSANCE OF THE STATE OF TENNESSEE.

WE are pleased to notice another State Report, another of the finger-marks of our age. This Reconnoissance is, as the title-page announces, "The First Biennial Report presented to the Thirty-first General Assembly of Tennessee, December, 1855, by James M. Safford, State Geologist, Professor of Natural Science in Cumberland University, Lebanon, Tenn., &c."

Tennessee was early in the field with her State Exploration, having been preceded only by North Carolina, South Carolina, and Massachusetts, of which latter State Tennessee was only some two or three years posterior. In 1839 Professor Troost published a Geological map of the State, and up to 1845 had made some seven or eight annual reports; some of the later ones, however, being merely pamphlets, as might have been expected from a Legislature which, from the meanest parsimony, tolerated rather than encouraged the exploration of her own resources.

In elucidating the geology of the State, Prof. Safford has adopted for inceptive operations a Reconnoissance, or General Survey of the whole State. This mode of commencing the survey was the result mainly of a suggestive, or, perhaps, constraining public sentiment, and measurably of a conviction of its utility and adaptability to the popular apprehension.

This plan may be a good one, and certainly is so, prima facie, but is it a reliable one? Is it not too subject to the uncertainties of superficial explorations, of comparatively new ground; and until detailed examinations have detected all the analyses of older and better known fields of geological research, is it not too liable to changes and differences of allocation? We would not except to it here, however, but suggest the question of its expediency as one yet to be decided by competent authority. The utili ties of the plan in the present survey have certainly been many, and of great practical value.

It has presented, in a comprehensive style, by a finely furnished and scientific mind, an outline of the geognosy and mineral values of the State. It has grouped the common characteristics of distinct regions, designated points of special interest for detailed examinations, and cleared the way for future economic explorations. As Prof. Safford well says, "Geological formations are the great storehouses of mineral treasures," and the determination of the position, extent and mineral contents of these great repositories was a leading object in the reconnoissance. Dr. Troost, who had acted as State Geologist before Prof. Safford, did much to open the way for subsequent explorations, and Prof. Safford says, "that Dr. Troost's researches, although he never had the means to give them that scope and utility desirable, have never

theless accomplished much towards this end, and one could easily point out how his labors have already paid the State in actual capital, threefold more than they cost it."

Here we have another instance of State parsimony-the incubus imposed by legislative ignorance, upon the very elements of the State's power and force. Prof. Safford says, "we offer no apology for any defects that may be detected, our task has been an arduous one, and the means placed at our disposal for prosecuting it very limited. We have been compelled to work without assistance, except where it has been gratuitously afforded us." And, with the modesty of true science, he ventures to suggest, "with reference to the future, that it is very desirable, that at least a small appropriation should be made to enable us to employ some one to assist and accompany us in our excursions. We shall, however, in any event, though it may be under difficulties, faithfully carry on the survey as far as the means given will justify." In this extract from Prof. Safford's preface to his report, we have the whole development of the antagonisms between the extremest modesty of true science and its kindred influences, and the narrow, contracted views of a great State Legislature. It does seem as if some Legislatures, when engaged on the subject of State surveys, or educational matters, conscientiously surrender all pretensions to common sense and the ability to apprehend the sources of the commonest values, and with a firm determination to appreciate no values except it may be those that make and build up some political shamble, it resolves to distribute State patronage among favorite partisans, and sympathizing po litical plunderers only. Tennessee has really carried the prize for parsimony, and among all her Western sisters, may inscribe on her flag, "I am the richest in natural resources, and the meanest in the payment of talent to develope those resources." She is the very incorporated conscience of parsimonious profundity.

Let us present an impersonation of the respective parties to this survey. First, we see a lofty figure whose feet are of iron, whose legs are of coal, body of the elements of gold, and whose head is made of unknown material, for it wears a mask. With the proud assumption of conscious power it beckons to its presence another figure quietly passing by in the shade, a figure of beautiful proportions distinguished by no predominant feature, yet beautifully symmetrical and harmonious in all its parts; its composition most elaborate from study, and although not made up in any one member or part of any particularly valuable or precious metal, yet the elements of the most precious values appear in subdued and harmonious proportions on every part of the system. A mosaic where the general effect was produced by the perfect adjustability and concinnity of each piece in detail. The emanations from the figure were like moss on the bucket, speaking of fertility, or the bloom on the grape, telling of ma turity; it imparted some of its own riches to kind touches, and

by a sort of magnetic influence discovered and assimilated with itself, consentaneous elements of wealth and beauty and harmony, no matter where or how deeply buried from common sight. Intuitively comprehending the wants of the figure in mask, it most cheerfully, and with its natural love for analytical and inductive beauties (for its name was "Science"), submitted to its dictation to explore and survey the country where the masked figure dwelt. The masked figure was of Borbdignagian proportions, and undertook to direct by its largest finger the points or places of greatest importance, forgetful that science, from its very elemental composition and atomic sympathy, instinctively, like the hound upon the trail, was most capable of reaching the best point first, and in the least difficult way. But, like all figures ashamed to show their faces, and that wear masks, its pathways were (to it) strewed with stumbling-blocks of lofty mountains, numerous rivers, or crooked and unbridged streams. Some of the most valuable elements of prosperity and success lay on the very surface, or clogged up the pathways on the country of the lofty figure: but to the figure all invisible-because of the mask which limited the field of vision. Science, on hopeful wings, thinks it may get over the obstacles, and attempts the exploration with the very reasonable and common sense notion that the masked figure will, at least, furnish a companion on the lonely exploration, at least, to hold up the telescope of observation, or jot in a note-book what science may note while holding the telescope. The crossing of perilous streams, scaling mountains, piercing caverns, threading lonely valleys, scarfing mountain-sides, unearthing out-crops, digging and delving into the bowels of mother earth, co-operating in analyzing the contents of those bowels; all these and many other items of labor, toil, and wearisome responsibility might suggest the necessity of an assistant or helping hand. But no, the mask, significant of some disreputable emotion, obscured alike the light of common sense, common justice, and the appreciation of unquestioned values. The mask, that above all others (especially when matters of science or education are to be seen through it) obscures the vision, produces stolidity and an inability to realize the most palpable objects of value; this mask, we say, is parsimony, a feature in a State's character as reprehensible as its opposite qualityextravagance.

Unaided and alone (except when individual hospitality and appreciation of intellectual worth lent a helping hand) we find Prof. Safford plodding his devious way amid the stony records of the past, disturbed by dislocations, cramped up by plications and foldings, or undergoing a mental decortication, as he beholds the denudations and drifts around him; but no sympathizing or helping hand is near-he is every thing-the first and the last, principal and stake-driver-observer and chain-bearer—and why?