CHEMISTRY OF THE WASHOE PEOOESS. 279 



previous chapter. The second lot consisted of several hundred pounds of 

 third-class ore frona the Kentuck mine, presented, for the purposes of the work, 

 by the Kentuck Mining Company. This low-grade ore was selected as being 

 well adapted for pan amalgamation ; easily reduced, containing but little base 

 metal, and the rock from which it was taken yielding very favorable results at 

 the mill. Both ores were carefully and thoroughly sampled, and passed 

 through a fine sieve in order that they might be well mixed. Eepeated assays 

 were made until they had as uniform a composition as it was possible to 

 obtain. After which, to prevent any settling of the heavier particles, both 

 lots were put up in bags, in quantities of 10 and 15 pounds each ; from sev- 

 eral of these parcels assays were made, and the results found to agree. The 

 Savage ore assayed, gold, $134 35; silver, $354 87; total, $489 22 per 

 ton. The Kentuck ore assayed, gold, $10 85 ; silver, $32 89 ; total, 

 $43 74 per ton. The results of the chemical analyses of both samples are 

 given above. 



A small amalgamating pan, such as is used in California for the purpose 

 of exj)erimenting upon new ores, was procured. It was made by Mr. Wheeler 

 as a test pan, and in all its essential features was similar to thela rger ones of 

 his manufacture, employed in milling operations. It was 18 inches in diam- 

 eter, and capable of working 20 pounds at a charge. A wooden tub, 3 feet 

 in diameter, 18 inches deep, and provided with four wooden arms, connected 

 with and revolved by an upright shaft in the center, served to keep the pulp 

 in constant motion, and answered all the requirements of a settler or an agi- 

 tator. A room with steam power was secured and a mill upon a small 

 scale set up, which supplied all the necessary conditions of a larger establish- 

 ment. 



The manner of conducting the operations was the same in every case; the 

 ore was first placed in the pan, the muUer set in motion, water added to bring 

 the pulp to the proper consistency, and steam admitted to a chamber below. 

 As soon as the pulp was thoroughly heated, the salt, sulphate of copper, or such 

 other chemical agents as were employed, after being carefully weighed, were 

 thrown in. The mercury was immediately added, in a fine condition, being 

 strained through buckskin. Care was always taken to maintain the pulp at 

 the proper degree of consistency, and to preserve a constant heat, which was 



