73 



îiiade use of a kind of open furnace, constructed 

 upon elevated ground, in order that the fire should 

 be kept up by a constant current of air. This appears 

 to have beeen adopted with a view to save labour, as 

 they were not unacquainted with the use of the bel- 

 lows, which was known to them under the name of 

 pimahue ; and even at present this mode is preferred 

 by the poorer class, who practise it, and no small 

 part of the silver, employed as a circulating medium 

 in Chili, is obtained from these clandestine foundries. 



The process generally pursued, particularly by the 

 wealthy proprietors, is that of amalgamation.* In this 



* Almost all the precipitous and broken grounds of Chili contain 

 gold in greater or less quantities, the surface of the earth in which 

 it is found is generally of a reddish colour and soft to the touch. 



These lavadtros^ or places producing earth which yields gold 

 by agitating it in water, are very common in Chili, but the indo* 

 lence of the Spaniards and the want of labourers suffer immense 

 treasures to remain in the earth which might easily be obtained; 

 but, not satisfied with small gains, they work those mines only which 

 yield a great profit ; of course, whenever any one of this cha- 

 racter is discovered numbers flock to it from all quarters, as was 

 the case with Copiapo and Lampagua, which by this means became 

 peopled so rapidly, from the great concourse of labourers, that in 

 the space of two years six mills were established at the latter place. 

 The city of Conception is situated in a country abounding not only 

 with all the necessaries of life, but with immense riches, particu- 

 larly aplace called the King's Camp, about twelve leagues to 

 the east, from whence is obtained by the lavadero pieces of pure 

 gold, called in the country pepitas^ of from eight to ten marks* in 

 weight. It has likewise been discovered in the vicinity of Angol ; 

 and if the inhabitants of " the country were industrious, many other 

 spots would be explored where it is believed there are very good 

 iavaderos^. Nine or ten leagues to the east of Coquimbo are the 



* Tkc Spanish mark is eight ounces. 

 Vol. I. M 



