406 SCIENTIFIC NOTES. 
that the export of sugar averages 1,000,000 cwt. a year— into mats for 
bedding, into hats and baskets ; the roots are split for cord to fasten 
thatch, split it is made into a whitewash brush, and it yields very white 
and good fibre for cordage. 
The Precious Metals. — We glean the following interesting items 
from M. Ros wag's new work on the subject, entitled ' Les Metaux 
Precieux.' From the year 1500 to 1848 America yielded 27,122 
millions of francs in silver, and 10,028 millions of francs in gold. 
These numbers comprise 13,774 millions of silver drawn from Mexico, 
43,059 from Peru and Bolivia, 230 from Chili, and 58 from New 
Granada. As to gold, the share of Brazil was 4,625 millions of francs ; 
that of Granada, 1,952; of Mexico, 1,341; of Peru and Bolivia, 
1,172 ; of Chili, 862 ; and of the United States, 76. Europe during 
the same period only produced 2,330 millions of francs in silver, and 
1,600 ditto in gold. Africa yielded 2,500 millions from Guinea. 
Hence the total quantity of precious metals existing in 1848, including 
1,000 millions supposed to exist before 1500, formed a total of 44,578 
millions of francs — viz., silver, 30,152, and gold, 14,426. From 1848 
to 1857 the stock of metals has been increased by 2,170 millions of 
francs of silver, and 6,004 of gold. Of the latter, California has pro- 
duced 2,508 millions, and the rest of America 445. Australia has 
yielded 1,695, and Europe 733, including. Russia for 678 millions. 
Asia has contributed 505 millions, and Africa 108. Of silver, Australia 
has yielded 9 millions ; America, 1,827 ; Europe, 321 ; and Asia, 22 ; 
forming a total of 2,179 millions of francs. There consequently exist 
at present in the world 32,331 millions of francs of silver, and 20,430 
of gold. The ratio of gold to silver, which before 1848 was as one to 
two, is now as two to three. In weight there existed before 1848 about 
thirty one kilogrammes of silver for every kilogramme of gold ; in 
1856 this proportion had fallen to less than twenty-four kilogrammes of 
silver for one kilogramme of gold. Since 1856 the total annual in- 
crease of the precious metals may be stated at 240 millions of francs of 
silver, and 500 of gold, being more than double the former. A Califor- 
nian paper states : — About the year fourteen of the Christian era, the 
annual product of gold and silver was 5,000,000 dollars, in 1492 it was 
only 250,000 dollars, in 1853 it was 285,000,000 dollars, and in 1863, 
240,000,000 dollars. In the year 14 also the gold and silver in 
existence is estimated at 1,327,000,000 dollars, and in 1863 at 
10,562,000,000. The whole amount of gold and silver obtained from 
the earth, from the earliest period to the present time, is estimated at 
21,272,000,000 dollars. 
