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obtained from them*. I ever observed that the gold after this ope- 

 ration was changed in colour from an agreeable soft yellow to a dirty 

 brown, and presented a very different appearance from that which 

 was not subjected to mercury. 



. By way of suggesting an improvement, I made some drawings and 

 models of earthen vessels for evaporating, and afterwards condensing 

 the mercury ; but the quantity of gold requiring this mode of sepa- 

 ration is so inconsiderable, that it would scarcely be worth their 

 while to alter the process now practised. 



I rode over various parts of the estate, and more particularly along 

 both banks of the river, which, as well as the bed, appeared to have 

 been much washed. The bends, or parts where eddies were formed, 

 were the places noted as being rich in gold. Wherever the margin 

 formed a flat, or level, the cascalhao continued under the surface to 

 some distance, appearing like a continuation of the bed of the river, 

 which in all probability it was, as the river is known to have been 

 much wider formerly. The parts that were then working, and 

 others that had yet to be worked, bore a very unpromising appear- 

 ance. 



An opportunity was soon afforded me of carrying into execution 

 the proposed dairy experiment. Having obtained about six quarts 

 of milk, (which, on account of the scarcity of grass, was very poor,) 

 I put it into the culinary vessels that had been set apart for it; but 

 such was the state of the place in which they were deposited, that 

 though I placed banana leaves over them, the surface next morning 

 was covered with dust. I took off the cream in the best manner I 

 could, but not being able to find a cellar or cold place for it to stand 

 in, I was obliged to leave it in the same room with the milk, where it 

 was hardly secure against the pigs. On each of the two following 



• This species of sublimation on a small scale interested me greatly. Could it proceed 

 from any glimmering of science in the minds of the negroes, or was it merely an accidental 

 discovery ? 



