Observations on Lead Ores. 175 
{n order to extricate from it, a striking quantity of ra 
it is not even necessary to reduce the sulphuret of lead to 
the metallic state. It is sufficient merely to lay some Sine: 
ments of the lead ore upon a cupel, and to place this upon 
a fragment of a brick in the forge fire. This simple method 
of operating we learned from the proprietor, Mr. Lane, and 
repeated the ex periment with entire success. The cupel is sur- 
rounded by ignited charcoal, and some pieces of burning coal 
are laid in an arched form, over the cupel, so as to preserve, 
at once, a good red heat, and to admit of the access of air. 
The forge bellows are very gently blown by an assistant, 
and, at the same time, a blast of uncontaminated air, 
common hand bellows, is thrown upon the lead Fe in such 
regulated quantity, as. to oxidize the lead, withou t cooling 
it too much, and the sulphur is in the mean time dissipated, 
Hyp reeenns. in this manner, we obtained in a short 
tim ee per of good silver, estimated in relation to 
the "matallse lend shat in the ore. 
In another operation, after previously reducing the ore to 
the metallic state, and proceeding in exactly the same man- 
ner, we obtained three and a half per cent. of good raalleable 
silver, 
There i ule =D eee to believe that these processes were 
conducte h more accuracy, than is attainable in. the 
large ares re we are therefore justified in concluding, that 
Mr. Lane’s lead ore is rich in silver, and is worthy ah being 
explored for that object. 
t was our intention to have given the result upon this 
ore in the humid way, and we had obtained the nitric solu- 
tion, and, by the aid of common salt, precipitated both the 
lead and the silver in the form of muriat; the muriat of 
lead was then-dissolved in ‘boiling water, and the muriat of 
silver obtained upona a filter. Butas we have not foun 
ure to complete the process ; it must be reserved _ i f 
othe. occasion. We think however that there can be no 
in admitting that the lead in this ore contains one- 
thirtieth of silver, and is therefore one of the richest. a ar- 
causiloronie galenas : 
We have been ‘called ‘tapon to examine another Iead ore, 
from Bethlem in nightie Ae miles N. W. 
from New-Haven. — a ee 
* Mr. Lane’s ore is aecompani nied by apt tend, asan inerastation : 
according to him this is equally rich in silver. 
