61 
Copper* 
ration called desafouga has not been employed, the plates 
grow black at the first operation, instead of becoming 
green. 
When the plates are thus prepared, and the husks have 
been brought to ferment, the workmen try whether the 
latter are proper for the process, by placing under them a 
plate of copper, and leaving it buried there for twenty- 
four hours. If the plate of copper, after this period, is 
found covered with a smooth green crust, in such a man- 
ner that none of the metal appears, they are then thought 
fit for being disposed in layers with the copper. On the 
other hand, if drops of water are observed on the surface 
of the plates, the plates are said to sweaty and it is con- 
cluded that the heat of the husks has not sufficiently sub- 
sided. They consequently defer making another trial till 
the next day. When they are assured that the husks are 
in a proper state, they form them into layers in the follow- 
ing manner : 
The plates are all put into a box, which, instead of 
having a bottom, is divided in the middle by a wooden 
grate. The plates disposed on this grate are so strongly 
heated by a chafing-dish placed under them, that the wo- 
man employed in this labour is sometimes obliged to take 
them up with a cloth, in order that she may not bum her 
hands. As soon as they have acquired that heat, they 
are put into the jars in layers with the husks. Each jar is 
then closed with a covering of straw, and left to oxydate. 
This period is called coua y to hatch. Thirty or forty 
pounds of copper, more or less according to the thickness 
of the plates, are put into each jar. At the end of ten, 
twelve, fifteen, or twenty days, the jar is opened ; and if 
the husks are white, it is time to take out the plates. The 
crystals, are then seen detached, and of a silky appearance 
on the surface. The husks are thrown back, and the 
plates are put in what is called relaL For that purpose 
