Gold Mining Notes. 37 
over the rim and escape. In time the contents of the 
pan become clean. Then all large pebbles are examined, 
and if worthless thrown away by a motion of the thumb 
(which has to be learned), and the coarse particles remain- 
ing are raked out and rejected. The pan is now inclined 
but only partly, under the water, and its contents agitated 
so that the coarse sand or material flows over the edge in 
a thin stream which the miner watches so that no 
particle of gold escapes. When but a small quantity 
remains in the pan it is lifted out of the water, and 
the concentration and perfect separation of the gold is 
commenced by an undulatory motion being given to the 
-pan- causing the sand to flow with the water across 
its bottom, revealing a cluster of gold particles. The 
pan is then inclined towards the sand, leaving the 
gold stranded in one portion and the sand and water in 
another, and the miner by pouring water behind the 
sand, washes it away, leaving in the pan only gold, which 
is thus collected wholly by its specific gravity or weight. 
The batea or battel is used in much the same way. 
Several pounds of pulverized ore or gravel are placed 
in the batea which is held under the surface of water, 
and broken up with the fingers into mud and a circular 
motion is given to the batea which causes the lighter 
particles to flow over the edge and the heavier to sink and 
collect at the centre. The batel being lifted, the water 
remaining in it is made to sweep round the centre, while 
an edge is depressed towards which the heavier particles 
of gold &c. gravitate. A. blow struck on the side of the 
bowl assists the operation and the settlement of the gold. 
The miner's cradle is like the old-fashioned child's 
cradle mounted on rockers and rocked in the same way. 
