440 
Japanese Mines. 
[October, 
of the ground. The daily charge of a furnace is 600 lbs. of 
calcined ore, divided into four equal parts ; one part being 
charged into the furnace every hour and a half, and the 
whole worked off in six hours. The furnace having been 
iighted by introducing a small quantity of ignited charcoal, 
a quantity of charcoal — a little less in volume than the 
150 lbs. of ore — is filled in ; on the top of this the calcined 
ore is spread, covering it entirely and uniformly, and the 
heap is then gently patted with a small flat iron tool, and 
the bellows started gently. The remainder of the process 
is so much like that already spoken of in the case of copper 
smelting that we need pursue the description no further. 
Besides the mineral productions already alluded to, tin, 
quicksilver, sulphur, and coal-oil are found in various parts 
of the Empire of the Rising Sun, but the mines, &c., 
require development by foreign aid before they can attain 
any considerable importance. 
In conclusion, we may remark that Mr. Plunkett is not 
very hopeful as to the future prospeCts of mining in Japan, 
and he thinks it extremely doubtful whether there are many 
mines of such position, percentage, and character as would 
justif}^ the investment of much capital in mining enterprise 
at present : he, further, expresses a belief that the mineral 
wealth of Japan has been hitherto estimated by the public 
far beyond its real value. In a recent article on the subject, 
the journal which has supplied us with particulars respecting 
the Ikouno mines ventures to entertain a more sanguine 
view of the matter, and states that “ the more familiar ac- 
quaintance with the national resources, which we are always 
acquiring, satisfies us that on her store of minerals Japan 
must depend for her future prosperity.” “ It may be,” the 
writer adds, “ that we shall live to see a large export mineral 
business done, notwithstanding the obstruction which local 
and personal interest offers to its development ; but whether 
we do or not, we shall not cease to believe that Japan will 
have to depend upon her mineral wealth for the place in the 
future she will take among other nations.” 
