1AT0N.  | 
THE    CAROLINA   TIN   BELT.  195 
imes  its  bulk  of  pulverized  sodium  carbonate,  or  ordinary  washing 
xla.  These  three  substances  are  thoroughly  mixed  and  then  trans- 
ited to  a  little  depression  in  a  stick  of  charcoal,  where  they  are 
)oisteiie<|  to  a  thick  paste.  The  flame  of  an  alcohol  lamp  is  then 
irected  upon  them  with  a  blowpipe,  care  being  taken  to  envelop 
i  the  flame  as  much  of  the  material  as  possible  and  at  the  same 
me  to  produce  an  intense  heat.  If  the  operation  is  properly  carried 
ut,  the  presence  of  tin  will  be  indicated  by  the  appearance  of  small 
lobules,  which  seem  darker  or  less  highly  heated  than  the  surround- 
lg  material.  By  continued  heating  numbers  of  these  particles  can 
t  made  to  coalesce  into  a  bead  of  appreciable  size.  The  formation 
f  such  metallic  beads  or  globules  is  not,  however,  a  proof  of  tin. 
ut  may  be  due  to  the  presence  of  any  one  of  a  group  of  metals  of 
hich  tin  is  a  member.  Upon  removing  from  the  flame,  the  glob- 
les  often  become  oxidized  on  the  surface  and  covered  with  a  white 
ivei  which  masks  their  metallic  character;  but  if  the  melted  mass 
crushed  after  cooling,  the  flattened  pieces  of  metal  may  readily 
observed.  If  a  white  insoluble  residue  results  when  the  metallic 
tkads  are  treated  with  concentrated  nitric  acid,  it  may  be  considered 
lat  tin  is  present. 
CONCLUSIONS. 
The  Carolina  tin  belt  appears  to  offer  a  promising  field  for  ex  pi  oni- 
on, although  present  indications  are  not  such  as  to  justify  the 
sumption  that  it  will  supply  the  American  market.  Some  of  the 
velopmenls  seem  certainly  to  have  demonstrated  the  existence  of 
nsiderable  ore  bodies,  which  if  systematically  and  wisely  developed 
ight  to  prove  valuable. 
Owing  to  the  irregularity  and  the  uncertainty  of  extent  of  the 
e  bodies,  cautions  methods  of  development  are  recommended.  It 
on  Id  be  borne  in  mind  that  in  the  case  of  these  deposits  a  hori- 
ntal  section  of  the  rock  is  practically  of  as  great  instructive'  value 
a  vertical  section.  In  other  words,  a  surface  trench  100  feet  long 
veals  about  as  much  as  a  shaft  100  feet  deep.  The  former  has  the 
vantages  of  much  lower  cost  and  greater  certainty  in  following 
e  ore-bearing  formation.  In  general,  surface  exploration  in  the 
ay  of  pits  and  trenches  should  therefore  be  thoroughly  carried  out 
d  promising  results  obtained  before  underground  operations  are 
arted.  Before  any  extensive  plant  for  treating  the  ore  is  erected 
e  developments  should  have  demonstrated  the  presence  of  an  ore 
dy  sufficiently  rich  and  extensive  to  warrant  such  a  procedure. 
