(liP7) 
vokdiizingit ; and therefore they term it a Robber, as a fubftance which 
fpoyls, and takes away the richnefs of the Ore. 
There is often found a red fubftance, which grows to the Ore, cdled 
Cinnaber, Cinnaber of Silvef, Cinnabarisnativa , Minium nmvum, or 
Berg'cmber-^ of which I have fent you fome by it felf, and feme aifo 
flicking to the Ore. This fubftance grinded with oyl maketh a Vermilli- 
on, equal to, if notfurpiffing, theUnabcr made by Sublimation. Idifr 
cover'd a Sulphur in it, by calling it upon an hot Iron-plate, on which it 
burned blew. Whether it alfo contains Quick- filver, lhave nottry'd,be- 
caufe I would not diminifh that fmall quantity, here fent. The Miners 
fay they meet not with any. 
There are alfo found in thefe Mines, Chryftals, Amethyfls or Ame- 
thyftinc mixtures in the clefts of the Rocks, and fometimesnigh or joyn'd 
to the Ore; as aifo Vitriol, naturally chryflalliz'd in the earth in divers 
of thefe Mines,and pirticularly ina Mine in P^r^df/^-hill near Schemnk^, 
As there is great variety in the Silver-ore, as to its mixtures with Earth, 
Stones, Marchafite^ Cinaber, Vitriol, &c. fo aifo in its richnefs, fome 
holding a great proportion of Silver in refped of other . An icO pound 
weight of ore fometimes yields but \ an ounce or an ounce of Silver; 
fometimes 2 ounces, 3, 4, 5, and unto 20 ounces. What is richer is very 
rare ; yet fom^ hath been found to hold half filver, and I have feen of 
it fo rich, as to be cut with a knife. 
A Specimen of each fort of Ore, which they dig out of the Mines, is 
carried to an Officer call'd the Probierer, who is to prove and judge of 
its richnefs-, which he doth in this manner. Of all forrs of Ores he 
cakeththe fame quantity: the Ores being firftdryed, burned, and pound- 
ed, he giveth an equal proportion of Lead to ail, melteth and purifieth 
them, and then by exad fcaies takes notice of the proportion between 
the Ore andtheMettal conrain'd in it, and reports it to thofe employ 'd 
in the great melting Furnaces. 
If the Ore be found to hold 2 i ounces or more of filver in 1 00 pound 
weight, they ordinarily melt it without any foregoing preparation, by 
the help (ron-flone (which is not Iron-ore, but a ftonefotsnd therea- 
about, of which the liver-colour' d is thebeft,"^ Kys (a fort Pyrites) 
and Slacken (a fcum or cake taken off from the top of the pan, into which 
the melted Minerals run, and is a fubftance made out of the former men- 
tion'd,by fufion ;) which are thrown in with it into the melting Furn^e. 
If the Ore be poorer, holding but two ounces in an 1 00 pound weight, 
orlefs, it is firO: pounded and wafhed, till it becoms richer, or hath a 
greater proportion of Metal in refped of-the Ore, much of the ennhy 
parts being waftied away. Then it is thrown into the Furnace with the 
former Materials; and the Marchafitej which remains ftiil withir, as fink- 
ing alwayes to the bottom with the filver in the wafh- works, helps to 
the quicker fufion of the Ore. G 2 What- 
