S6 



or combined with other substances. This method 

 consisted in merely exposing the ore to a degree 

 of heat capable of melting tbe metal which it 

 contained. When the ore was united with othey 

 substances, or miner alized^ and of course mor^ 

 difficult to be melted^ they made use of a kind 

 of open furnace^ constructed upon elevated 

 ground^ in order that the fire should be kept up 

 by a constant current of air. This appears to 

 have been adopted with a view to save labour^ as 

 they were not unacquainted with the use of the 

 bellows,, which was known to them under the 

 name of pimahue; and even at present this mode 

 is preferred by the poorer class, who practice it^ 

 and no small part of the silver, employed as a 

 circulating medium in Chili, is obtained from 

 these clandestine foundries. 



The process generally pursued, particularly 

 by the wealthy proprietors, is that of amalgama- 

 tion,* In this case they begin with reducing 



* Almost all Ihe precipitous and broken grounds of Chili 

 con'aiu gold in greater or le^s quantities ; the surface of the 

 earth in which it is found is gcuerall^r of a reddish colour and 

 soft to the touch. 



These lavaderos, or places producing earth which yields 

 gold by agitating it in water, are very common in Ciiili, hut 

 the indolence of the Spaniards and the want of labourers 

 suffer immense treasures to rcjiiain in the earth which might 

 easily be obtained; but, r^ot satisfied with small gains, they 

 vork thoj'-' miucs only wiiidi yield a great profit ; of couro^ 



