438 
[October, 
Japanese Mines. 
contained in this amalgam is driven off into a condenser, to 
be used over and over again. The resulting lumps of metal 
having been fused with borax, which brings away some scorise 
and other impurities in the form of scum, are run into moulds, 
and sent to the Mint at Osaka. The metal contains in this 
form, in which it leaves Ikouno, about 70 per cent of pure 
silver and 10 of gold, the remaining 20 per cent being nearly 
pure copper. When M. Coignet, the French superintendent 
of the Ikouno mines, was first appointed, the Government 
for a long time hesitated to admit that, even with the inferior 
appliances at his command, he could produce 4000 dols. a 
month of silver, but being once convinced they expended 
400.000 dols. on European machinery, which arrived some 
three years ago, and, by the aid of a foundry and machine 
shop on the premises, supplemented by the efforts of the 
Yokoska Arsenal and the Kobe Iron Works, was soon got into 
working order. By last accounts the out-turn averaged 
30.000 dols. a month, half of which was required for working 
expenses, leaving the Government a very handsome profit. 
We are informed that the power utilised to drive the ma- 
chinery is mainly water, brought 4^ miles in an artificial 
canal, which is available for nine months out of twelve : 
during the rest of the year the works are driven by steam, 
for which purpose there are four engines of 25 horse-power 
each. In addition to the silver, which is at present the 
principal objeCt sought, the hills contain copper, iron, lead, 
and zinc, the first of which it is in contemplation to work 
independently. 
Iron is found in many parts of the country, and the total 
production thereof ranks next to coal in quantity, though 
not in value. The following is a brief account, given by 
Dr. Geerts, of Nagasaki, of the mode adopted by the 
natives for smelting the iron ore : — After the ore has been 
selected it is piled up in heaps with coal, and calcined 
(roasted) in order to expel the water, carbonic acid, sulphur, 
&c. This calcination makes the ore more porous, and 
better fitted for the smelting process. The calcined ore is 
smelted in a cylindrical furnace, built up with a few hard 
stones and fire-proof clay. The clay is laid in layers till the 
wall of the furnace has sufficient thickness. The thick 
bottom of this small furnace has a rounded shape, and a 
little above the bottom two exactly opposite openings in the 
wall are made for receiving the tubes of the bellows. Be- 
sides, there is a third opening near the bottom, which is 
closed with a clay stopper, and afterwards is opened to 
collect the fluid metal in the forms.” Now the furnace, 
