294 
GEOLOGY. 
charcoal and carbonate of soda ; the complete decomposition of the sulphuret being effected by 
the carbonate of soda. 
It was for a long time attempted to prepare metallic antimony by beating the sulphuret with 
iron in the presence of charcoal and alkalies ; but this proceeding is now generally abandoned ; 
for the iron combines with the antimony and a poor quality of metal results. 
The regulus of antimony of commerce is not pure, but contains sulphur, iron, lead, and 
arsenic ; the latter being very difficult to separate. The most simple process for the extraction 
of the arsenic, according to Pelouze and Fremy, 1 is to transform the arsenic and the antimony 
into arseniate of soda and into antimoniate of soda, neutral and anhydrous. The first of these 
salts can he removed by means of hot water, in which it is soluble, while the antimoniate of 
soda is insoluble. 
Access to the Vein, and Facilities for Mining .—The position of the vein at so great an elevation 
renders it somewhat difficult of access ; hut it may he approached from the side of the moun¬ 
tain, opposite to that ascended by me, with much greater facility. It would, however, he possible, 
and perhaps the least expensive course, to construct a slide of timbers, on which the ore could 
he sent down to the foot of the mountain. It could then he loaded on mules, and taken to San 
Pedro, the nearest seaport. There is an ample supply of pine timber on the top of the moun¬ 
tain above the vein. It is sufficient for all the purposes of mining, or for reduction of the ore, 
which might he conducted at the mine with little expense beyond the cost of labor. There is 
no water power in the immediate vicinity of the vein except during the winter or rainy season. 
As, however, the mine will he completely dry, pumps will not he required ; and the mine can 
he worked in such a manner that it will not he necessary to lift the ore by machinery. 
The spring in the lower part of the canon near the old forge appears to he unfailing. There 
is also a small spring on the side of the mountain near the vein, and it can probably he enlarged, 
so that sufficient water can he obtained there for miners. There are many little open valleys 
1 Pelouze et Fremy, Chimie, ii, p. 526. 
