184 Walsh's J^fotices of Brazil. 



of which the sand seemed to be formed. Piled up in great disorder were 

 mounds of mica, slate, and large masses of different strata were lying over 

 each otlier, in an angle considerably inclined, as if they had slipped down 

 in succession from some niore elevated place. Towards S. Josti, the face 

 of the ridge was a perpendicular precipice, five or six hundred feet higii, for 

 twelve or fourteen miles ; on tlie other side it descended in a more gradual 

 slope, like a shed from a wall. 



'• The formation of this serra is generally of mica slate, and a modification 

 of clay, talc, and chlorite slate. There is no granite yet discovered here ; but 

 a league and a half on the western side are extensive tracts of it The 

 beta, or vein, is generally quartz, in which is found gold variously mixed with 

 iron stone, magnetic and titancous iron, ochre, tellurium, and pyrites, con- 

 tainmg gold and silver. The serra extends about twelve miles from east 

 to west." 



"We had every day, almost, a thunder storm, and the repercussion from 

 the face of the ridge was so loud, sharp, and distinct, that it seemed as if the 

 hard stone was hit and broken by a number of sledges striking upon it; and 

 certainly if tliis symptom be any indication of metallic veins, it no where 

 exists so strong as in the serra of S. Josti." 



"For a long time, the only gold in tiie country was extracted from the 

 clay, through which the rains fiom this ridge had filtered, leaving behind all 

 the particles of the metal whicli they carried down. The first mines in 

 the province were pits, called cata, opened by the workmen till they 

 came to the cascalho, or gravel, below. This was broken up with pick-a.vcs, 

 and the contents brought to the river and washed. Tiiey were therefore 

 opened as near the banks as possible, and were generally called taboleiros, 

 from the flat tabular surface over them. These prnnitivo workings an; 

 every where to be seen, and have given names to places, as Catas Altas. 



" The next improvement was to conduct a stream of water to ground 

 known to be impregnated with the metal, and so wash it out on the spot, and 

 these were called lavras; they are seen in abundance on the banks of the 

 Rio das Mortes. 



"The third and last was pursuing the metal into the rock itself, and this 

 they attempted by opening superficial trenchments, on the most horizontal 

 surfaces, and pushing them on where they found any indication of gold. 

 This they call talho alberto, or the open cut; and several of these remain 

 in the serra towards S. Joao del Rey, about ten or twelve feet deep, ramify- 

 ing in different directions, like the ravines of mountain torrents, which they 

 resemble at first sight ; but this, however, also failed, as the Brazilians liad 

 neither skill nor capital to proceed deeper, from the clumsiness and deficiency 

 of their operations." 



" The mines of Potosi were discovered by a Spaniard, wlio, in ascend iiij.' 

 the mountain, seized a bush to assist him; and tliis givuig way, he foun<i tln' 

 root embossed with particles of silver. A similar circumstance is told of 

 gold m this province. The first Paulistas pulled up tufts of grass in the 

 same manner, and found numerous particles of gold entangled in the riwls, 

 and the first washings in search of the metal were from the roots of the herb- 

 age at tiio base of the hills. 

 "" When a quantity of this impure mixture (grains of gold and csmeril) 

 wa.s thus collected, it was laid in the baton, (a bowl,) and here it was dexter 

 ously moved from side to side, in a constant ablution of fresh water, till tin: 

 esmcril (oxide of iron) also passed off, and the lieavier gold dust remained 

 alone in the point of the cone. The whole of this was finally deiwsitcd in 

 .1 large copper skillet, plained overa fire on the spot, and stirred tdl the water 

 evaporated, aiul nothiuL' reniiiined but dry >T<tld dust, in "cnernl of exceeil- 

 ingly minute part iclois but frequently appearmg ui ^iniail iflobuU.-.-, hum as 



