SEPARATING OF GOLD. 



421 



Platina is found with the gold, and is thus 

 separated from it: — A quantity of water and 

 quicksilver is thrown in with the gold-dust, 

 and well mixed, until the whole appears like 

 paste ; it is then put into small moulds, and 

 pressed down until it takes a consistent form, 

 when it is turned out, and placed in a red- 

 hot iron grating, below which is a basin of 

 water; over the grating is placed a large bowl 

 so as to cover it. The quicksilver is expelled 

 by the heat, and flies to the bowl, which is 

 a species of retort. The platina falls into the 

 water, and the gold remains in a firm state on 

 the grating and perfectly pure. The mines 

 that are considered worth working, give two 

 pounds of platina to six of gold. There are, 

 however, many neglected mines, that give six 

 and eight pounds of platina for two of gold. 

 The government are now endeavouring to buy 

 up all the platina, and having it sent to Bogo« 

 ta, in order, as report states, to make a coin- 

 age of it. But as British merchants here offer 

 eight or ten dollars a pound for it, about five- 

 sixths are obtained by them, and smuggled to 

 Jamaica. It is great impolicy that the Con- 

 gress does not entirely do away with the old 



