MINES. 



381 



gradually increased in produce ; at first only 

 giving five ounces in the quintal of one hun- 

 dred and twelve pounds of the load, but latter- 

 ly seventy pounds per cent. M. Le Roche con- 

 siders, that in the first instance the ore must be 

 pounded and washed to obtain the native gold 

 and silver, and the remainder mixed with lead, 

 and passed through the furnace, to obtain the 

 whole of the metal. This mine belongs to 

 private individuals, who have been ruined by 

 the revolution, and have not funds to set it in 

 working order. I proposed an arrangement, 

 which they agreed to ; and I have every rea- 

 son to expect that by this time the mine is 

 being actively wrought. In the Bega de Supia, 

 plenty of peons are to be hired, who under- 

 stand the working of mines ; and the provi- 

 sions of life are to be had in abundance : the 

 hire of each man, with his keep included, not 

 exceeding two reals (a shilling, English) per 

 day. The average of the thermometer stands 

 af about 66". 



The mine of Pantano, which is silver mix- 

 ed with lead, yielding sixty per cent, of 

 lead, and three ounces of silver, per quintal, 

 is one league from the mine of Sachafruta; 



