328 CAVE AND CUFF DWELLERS. 
else as here, giving the finest Alpine 
scenery to be found in this part of the 
continent. 
Some of the outside facts regardingthe 
mines are really more interesting than 
the mines themselves. The miners work 
in the hot interiors bare to the skin, ex¬ 
cept their sandals and a breechcloth. 
Even these have to be examined when 
they emerge from the mine after the 
work is over. The sandals are taken off 
and beaten together, while the breech¬ 
cloth is treated in the same manner if the 
examiner demands it. Of course the 
miners are usually known to the examiner, 
and his searches vary with the supposed 
honesty of the different workmen. In a 
mine where pure silver has been known 
to be cut out with cold chisels by the 
mule load, and sent direct to the retorts 
