1865.] PERLEY — GOLD MINING IN NOVA SCOTIA. 215 



retort is removed from the fire, and, after being sufficiently cooled, 

 is opened, and the gold removed. Great care must be taken in 

 retorting, otherwise a loss of gold may take place, either by being 

 partially melted and made to adhere firmly to the sides of the 

 retort ; or in case of too great a heat being applied at an early 

 stage of the operation, the mercury is flashed as it were into vapor, 

 and fine particles of gold are sprinkled and deposited over the 

 inside of the retort, and even into the interior of the tube. Where 

 the amalgam has been carefully cleaned, and care has been taken 

 in retorting, the gold is obtained in one lump, having the shape of 

 the bottom of the retort, and is of a clear bright yellow color ; 

 otherwise, it is dull and dirty looking, and may be seen sprinkled 

 with grains of quartz and pyrites. Retorted gold is porous and 

 spongy in appearance, and will occupy a much larger bulk than 

 the same weight of smelted gold. It is often remitted by the 

 agents of different companies in this state, but does not command 

 the same price as smelted gold. In all returns made to the Pro- 

 vincial Government retorted or unsmelted gold is valued at $18.50 

 per ounce, and smelted gold at 819.50. Gold in bar commands 

 a price in the market of from $19.75 to $19.80 per ounce- 

 Retorted gold generally loses in weight by smelting, owing to the 

 oxidation of any of the baser metals which may be alloyed with 

 it; and by the total expulsion of the mercury used in amalga- 

 mation, a notable quantity of which oftentimes remains with the 

 gold, when the retort has not been sufficiently heated. 



It is to be regretted that the law for the management of the 

 Gold Fields, does not extend to the establishment of a Government 

 Assay Office, where gold could be smelted, its fineness determined, 

 and the bar officially stamped. By this means all gold would 

 bring a price equivalent to its fineness, and the purchaser be pro- 

 tected from fraud and imposition. 



The Gold Districts proclaimed in Nova Scotia are eleven in 

 number, viz: Wagamatcook in Cape Breton, Stormont, Wine 

 Harbor, Sherbrooke, Tangier, Lawrencetown, Montague, Waverly, 

 Oldham, Renfrew, and the Ovens at Lunenburgh. Mining is 

 being carried on to a small extent at Gay's River, on private 

 lands 



These districts are now the property of the Crown, all private 

 rights having been re-vested ; and areas, or lots measuring 250 

 feet by 150 feet have been laid off; the smaller dimension being on 

 the strike of the veins. Areas may be taken up, by application 



