16 ECONOMIC GEOLOGY. 
view of this washer is shown in Figs. § and 6 of the drawing. It consists of a conical 
tub, lined with copper, and in this tub is contained a double-walled inverted truncated 
cone, G, which is suspended from a water-supply pipe, H, and which is perforated 
with a number of small holes in its outer bottom and in the lower portion of its exter- 
nal jacket, so that the water admitted through the pipe H discharges from the cone G 
1H. RAE. 3 Sheots--Shoet 3. in a large number of fine jets, 
Improvement in Voltaic Amalgamators for Goid and Silver. producing an upward current. 
No. 123,932, Patented Feb. 20, 1872, [9 The washer F is placed ona 
table, with a spout, Z, extend- 
ing over a second washer, F’, 
which is constructed like the 
first washer, and the dis- 
charge-spout / of which ex- 
tends over a gutter, I, lined 
with copper. 
In using my invention I 
first reduce the ore to a fine 
powder, and then I introduce 
the same, together with a 
suitable quantity of water, 
quicksilver, and suitable ex- 
citing chemicals, into the 
cylinder or cylinders A. The 
chemicals which I use are 
common salt, or such acids 
which, when brought in con- 
tact with the voltaic pile, will 
excite a galvanic current. In 
regard to the quantity of 
quicksilver and the character 
and quantity of the exciting 
agent used, reference must 
always be had to the nature of the ore and to the electric affinities of the metals con- 
tained in the ore about to be washed. After revolving the cylinder or cylinders from 
three to four hours, the quicksilver is drawn off through the pipe or pipes d. Then 
each cylinder is again revolved for a few minutes for the purpose of fluidizing the pulp, 
when the man-hole plate is taken out, and the whole contents of the cylinder dis- 
charged into the receiving-tank D, whence the pulp gradually discharges into the 
agitating-tub E. In this tub the pulp is agitated, the amalgam being precipitated, 
while the tailings are drawn off through either of the pipes 7, according to their spe- 
cific gravity. The amalgam which collects on the bottom of the tub is removed from 
time to time, while the tailings pass into the first washer, F, where small particles of 
