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THE POPULAR SCIENCE MONTHLY. 



revolving sticks. The silvery mass being heavy, settles at the bottom, 

 and in two or three days the muddy water is drawn off. The amal- 

 gam, or pella, which has been formed, is now taken from the lavaderos 

 to a sort of oven or depression in the ground, covered with a huge 

 metallic hood termed a capellina. A fire is built around the capellina, 

 and the mercury is separated by distillation in about four days. The 

 block of silver which remains is transported to the nearest mint, and 

 worked into coin or sold. 



The volcanoes form one of the most interesting features of the 

 country. Only four of them are active, but no eruption has taken 

 place from either of these during the present century. Earthquakes 

 are, however, common, and solfataras, fumaroles, and adjoining warm 

 springs, indicate that these volcanoes are still in a semi-active state. 

 According to Humboldt, they lie on the same great vent of the earth's 

 crust, and approximately on the nineteenth parallel of latitude. Ori- 

 zaba, which may be reached from Esperanza on the railway from Vera 

 Cruz to Mexico, has been quiet since 1566, but was reported to be 

 smoking in April, 1883. There is no hazardous climbing on the mount- 



Fio. 3. Popocatepetl. 



ain, but the ascent is exceedingly laborious on account of the steepness 

 of the snow-clad cone. About five hours are required to reach the 

 summit, but very few persons have thus far accomplished the task. 

 The excursion to Popocatepetl starts from Amecameca, on the Morelos 

 Railway, the road leading at first through fine wheat-fields watered by 

 the melting snows of the great volcano. The path soon rises and 



