Page:Mexico in 1827 Vol 2.djvu/453

Rh and "Apolvillado bueno" when very rich. Sulphuret of silver, where it occurs but little intermixed with other substances, is designated as "Polvillos;" (probably because when reduced to "polvo," (dust,) this dust is found to be richly impregnated with silver,) and "Molonques," or "Petanques," are the names given to the masses or crystallizations of pure silver, which are not unfrequently met with. The three last are too rich to be submitted to the ordinary process of amalgamation; but the "Azogues" and "Apolvillados" are transmitted in costales, (miner's sack,) weighing 150lbs. each, to the Hacienda, where they are delivered to the Administrador, (overseer,) who gives a receipt for the amount. They are then submitted to the action of the Morteros, (stamps,) one of which of eight stampers, (Mazos,) is capable of reducing to powder ten cargas of ore, (each of 350lbs.) in twenty-four hours. This powder not being thought sufficiently fine for the quicksilver to act upon it with proper effect, it is transferred from the Morteros to the arrastres, (crushing-mills,) in which water is used. Each of these reduces to a fine, impalpable, metalliferous mud, six quintals of powder in twenty-four hours. At Guănăjūātŏ, where water-power cannot be obtained, the arrastres are worked by mules, which are kept constantly in motion at a slow pace, and are changed every six hours. The grinding-stones, as well as the sides and bottom of the mill itself,