CHEMISTRY. 



223 



THE PRECIOUS METALS. 



From the earliest times to the commencement of the Christian 

 Era, the amount of the precious metals, obtained from the surface 

 and bowels of the earth, is estimated to be 4,000,000,000 dollars ; 

 from the commencement of the Christian Era to the discovery of 

 America, another sum of 4,000,000,000 was obtained ; from the 

 date of-the latter event to the close of 1842, an addition of 9,000,- 

 000,000 was made ; the discovery and extensive working of the 

 Russian gold mines in 1843 added to the close of 1852, 1,000,- 

 000,000 more; the double discovery of the California mines in 

 1848, and the Australia mines in 1851, added, to the close of 18G7, 

 4,000,000,000 ; making a grand total, to the close of 1867, of 22,- 

 000,000,000 dollars. The average loss by abrasion of coin is esti- 

 mated to be a tenth of one per cent, per annum ; and the average 

 loss by consumption in the arts, and destruction by fire and ship- 

 wreck, at from 2 to 8,000,000 dollars per annum. The amount 

 of the precious metals in existence is estimated to be 12,000,000,- 

 000 dollars, which is estimated to be about equally divided be- 

 tween gold and silver. Of the amount now in existence, 7,000,- 

 000,000 are estimated to have been obtained from the continent 

 of America, 2,000,000,000 from Europe, 2,000,000,000 from Asia, 

 and the remainder from Africa and other sources. 



The following statement will exhibit the annual product of the 

 precious metals throughout the world in 1867 : 



The following statement will exhibit the annual product at other 

 periods : 



