BOOK VIII. 



271 



lumps of ore, rich in gold or silver, are put by the sorters on the stone and 

 broken up with a broad, but not thick, hammer ; they either break them into 

 pieces and throw them into one vessel, or they break and sort — whence they 

 get their name — the more precious from the worthless, throwing and collecting 

 them separately into different vessels. Other men crush the lumps of ore 

 less rich in gold or silver, which have likewise been put on the stone, with a 

 broad thick hammer, and when it has been well crushed, they collect it and 

 throw it into one vessel. There are two kinds of vessels ; one is deeper, and a 

 little wider in the centre than at the top or bottom ; the other is not so deep 

 though it is broader at the bottom, and becomes gradually a little narrower 

 toward the top. The latter vessel is covered with a lid, while the former is not 

 covered ; an iron rod through the handles, bent over on either end, is 

 grasped in the hand when the vessel is carried. But, above all, it behooves 

 the sorters to be assiduous in their labours. 



By another method of breaking ore with hammers, large hard frag- 

 ments of ore are broken before they are burned. The legs of the workmen 

 — at all events of those who crush pyrites in this manner with large hammers 

 in Goslar — are protected with coverings resembling leggings, and their hands 



A — Pyrites. B — Leggings. C — Gloves. D — Hammer. 



