PRECIOUS METALS IX THE WEST OF EXGLAND. 119 



annual mooting of this Institution, Mr. Eichard Poarco, who 

 has had a large experience in connection with the smelting of 

 copper and the precious metals in the United States, recommended 

 systematic prospecting for gold and silver in the West of 

 England to a much greater extent than has ever yet been done.^ 

 One would not perhaps be sanguine of success as regards fi-ee 

 gold, but certainly the crude concentrates from most of our vein- 

 fillings deserve to be tested on an extensive scale. Of course 

 this would necessitate a removal of some restrictions as to modes 

 of treatment and of sale in some of our mine leases, and also 

 the general adoj^tion of the principle of paying dues only out of 

 profits, instead, as hitherto, out of the gross sale value ; but I do 

 not think these difficulties should or would prove insurmountable 

 in most instances. 



50. See Journal R.I. C. XIII, p. 195. 



