1847.] On the Refinage of under standard Silvefc 503 



repeated in the same manner, until from 5 to 7 seers (10 to 14ft>s) are 

 used, the quantity being determined by the coarseness of the silver. 

 In half an hour from the beginning the whole mass of metal becomes 

 pasty, and when pressed towards the bottom of the pot coheres in a 

 mass upon which there floats a very liquid scum, composed of melted 

 potash and litharge with some oxide of copper and a little oxide of 

 silver in solution. This liquid scum is skimmed off with an iron ladle, 

 and when as much is removed as is practicable, the pot is covered and 

 the fire run up by the register to a degree somewhat higher than that 

 usually given in silver meltings, and which experience can alone teach. 



In about half an hour the silver is found to be quite melted, its sur- 

 face being covered with thick but loose and dry crusts of oxide of copper. 

 It is now ready for pouring, and a piece of coke being placed across 

 the lip of the pot, the refined silver is cast in ingots in the usual man- 

 ner, without any of the dry scoriae entering the moulds. The ingots 

 when cool are perfectly clean and bright, and fit in every respect for 

 delivery in the Bullion department, to be registered for assay. 



On the 4th of September 1846, this process was, as above stated, 

 performed on silver to the value of Co.'s Rs. 172,860 10 2, =£17,286 

 Is. 3d. sterling. At 8| a. m. the fires were lighted in the 16 furnaces. At 

 9^ a. m. the silver (consisting of Nanashaye rupees, average 1 8 worse 

 than standard, and containing about 4 dwts. of lead per ft.) in the state 

 of coin was charged into the pots — at 10 a. m. the saltpetreing was com- 

 menced — by 11^ the first pot was poured off, and all sixteen by | 

 past 12. The pots were replaced in the furnaces, charged once more and 

 by 2\ p. m. the refined silver again poured off. The refined bars were 

 returned to the mint. The subsequent assays showed some of the pots 

 to have been refined to 13 dwts. better, and the whole silver return- 

 ed averaged 5 " better." All the ingots without exception were soft and 

 malleable and fit for alligation. 



When the scoriae and sweepings were subsequently worked up, and 

 the account closed, it was found to stand as follows : 



Value of silver delivered to be refined Co.'s Rs 172,860 10 2 



Returned refined silver, value, 172,488 10 3 



Loss, Rs. 371 15 11 



