348 Reminiscences of Werner and Freiberg. 
from above in the primitive geognostical period. For the most 
part, however, there remained in the so-called upper-depth 
(obere tiefe), a small space, which was for a long period empty. 
Chemical changes in the old vein-masses surrounding this space, 
now took place. Crystals projected from the walls into the 
cavity ; new products lined these walls; various ores and mi- 
nerals were gradually produced there, and it is extremely in- 
teresting to follow out the accumulation of these formations, 
It is not alone in the veins themselves, but also in separate 
hand-specimens in museums, that we can observe the multifari- 
ous alternations of processes, the direction in which the erys- 
talline precipitates were deposited, and the limitation of the 
varied products. Here shot out the native silver in delicate 
twisted hairs, in a coralliform or dendritic form, or in thick 
compact masses. Here were formed the richest ores, acces- 
sible without much labour to the miner, and which were of 
such a nature as to be won in the fine metallic state by the 
simplest and least expensive processes. This richness of the 
upper depth had disappeared. By constantly increasing ex- 
ertions, and always augmenting cost, the less rich and more 
difficultly treated ores were obtained; and thus labour and 
expense increased with the poverty of the rocks. Then came 
extraordinary expenses, the restitution of this additional out- 
lay, and but little real profit. The extraordinary contribu- 
tions afterwards increased, the restitution became rarer, and 
but few mines produced profit. I was interested and grieved 
by seeing how the slightest glimmer of hope was seized in 
every new mining operation, and Ido not remember having, 
during my stay, seen such hopes realized. J am unacquainted 
with the present condition of the Saxon mines. I believe that 
the rapidly increasing manufacturing activity of the Erzgebirge 
must continue more and more to take away, upon the whole, in 
a beneficial way, the hands formerly employed in the much less 
productive mining operations. This continued sinking of the 
mining interests, and chiefly of those at Freiberg, produces 
on me an extremely sad impression. I know of no bleaker 
sight than that of the accumulation of the constantly increas- 
ing hills of barren stones round the mouths of the mines, in 
the midst of rubbish. Not only have the woods disappeared 
